Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, October 31

God Our Papa

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
Romans 8:15

Recommended Reading
Galatians 4:6-7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%204:6-7&version=NKJV )

In the hardest hour of His life, Jesus called God "Abba" (Mark 14:36), an emphatic Aramaic word used by Mark because there was no suitable Greek word to use in its place. The traditional Greek word was pater, or "Father." So Mark recorded them both: "Abba, Father..." For Jesus to call God "Abba" would be like a child of today saying "Daddy" or "Papa." It was an emphatic, emotional, and personal term that came from Jesus' heart in His most trying hour.

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

"Abba" occurs two more times in the New Testament, in Paul's letters (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). Paul says that Christians, by way of the Holy Spirit, now call out to the Father using the same two-fold, vocative cry, "Abba, Father!" We have that privilege, Paul reasoned, because we have been made children of God. Sonship (and "daughtership") is the privilege of all who call Christ their Lord and call God their Father (Romans 8:12-17).

When you pray, think of God both ways: as Father and as Daddy. Honor and emotion are a child's responsibility and privilege.

Since God has a Son of His own, and such a Son, how wonderful God's love in adopting us! We needed a Father, but He did not need sons.
Thomas Watson

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 16:16-18:28 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016:16-18:28&version=NKJV )
   

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, November 1

Are You Texting Heaven?

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Recommended Reading
Colossians 4:2-6 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%204:2-6&version=NKJV )

The text messaging phenomenon can help illustrate -- though never fully capture -- the spirit of prayerfulness God desires for us. Just like the convenience of prayer, texting a friend anytime, anywhere, makes the frequency of private communication possible in situations where voice communication is impossible or disruptive.

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

Frequent prayer is exactly what the apostle Paul deeply desired in the lives of New Testament believers when he advised them to "pray without ceasing." He used the adverb translated "without ceasing" that other Greek writers of his day used to describe a hacking cough. What a convincing way to communicate the spirit of prayerfulness that should pervade our lives. Prayer was as natural as breathing to Paul, and he wanted believers to devote themselves to this prayerful attitude of constant dependence on God. He was saying that no occasion is too small, no decision too insignificant, not to be covered with prayer.

We can't pray every minute, but we can pray frequently -- while driving, while eating, even while texting. Prayer allows us to listen to our heavenly Father and become more like Him in the process. Ask God to infiltrate your life with the powerful spirit of prayerfulness.

Abiding fully means praying much.
Andrew Murray

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 19:1-21:16 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2019:1-21:16&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

 
Friday, November 2

A Hallowed Name

In this manner, therefore, pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name."
Matthew 6:9

Recommended Reading
Exodus 20:7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020:7&version=NKJV )

How often lately have you used the word "hallow" or "hallowed"? Probably not at all -- unless you were reciting the Lord's Prayer. Our English word "hallowed" comes from an Old English word of German origin, and it still appears in modern Bible translations of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9) because we don't have an English word for "holy-ed" -- which is what hallowed means. (The second edition of the  New Living Translation  has "may your name be kept holy" in Matthew 6:9.)

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

It is significant that Jesus instructed His disciples to give proper respect and honor to God's name when they began their prayers. This is in keeping, of course, with the third of Israel's Ten Commandments: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain..." (Exodus 20:7). If such a reminder was necessary in Jesus' day, how much more is it needed in ours? "God," "Jesus," and "Christ" are used as part of curses, jokes, unkept promises, and unthinking conversation. God's name is read and heard so often in modern media that we have become numb to how often it is defamed and dishonored.

Make sure that you hallow God's name today, in word and in deed.

The great argument of Scripture is the glory of God's own name.
Charles Simeon

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 21:17-23:35 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2021:17-23:35&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

 
Weekend, November 3 & 4

Always With Thanksgiving: Always Thankful for Prosperity

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.
1 Chronicles 29:14

Recommended Reading
Job 1:1-5 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%201:1-5&version=NKJV )

One of the greatest displays of personal wealth in recorded history is that of King David of Israel in preparation for building the first temple in Jerusalem. Out of his own personal wealth, David gave 3,000 talents of gold and seven thousand talents of silver -- an amount worth about $5.9 billion in today's dollars. And the leaders of Israel contributed several times more.

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And what do you think the first words from David's mouth were after these billions of dollars of commodities were collected? "Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever" (1 Chronicles 29:10). The first thing David did was to "praise God from whom all blessings flow" (to use the words of our modern Doxology). David knew that everything they had given to build the temple had come from God and that they were donating back to God only what God had previously given to them. A lack of praise in times of prosperity may mean we are confused about the source of our blessings.

If you have more than you need today, give thanks to God for your prosperity.

To see a man humble under prosperity is one of the greatest rarities in the world.
John Flavel

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 24:1-26:32, Acts 27:1-28:31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2024:1-26:32,%20Acts%2027:1-28:31&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, November 5

Trashing the Transcendent

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.
Psalm 89:7

Recommended Reading
Psalm 89:1-7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2089:1-7&version=NKJV )

Reverence isn't widely revered any more. Much of our worship has lost its awe, and there's little majesty in our gatherings. In daily conversation, too, we often hear God's name spoken irreverently and His truths treated with disrespect. The world wants to trash the transcendent and reduce the grandeur of the Almighty to a self-defined experience.

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

Of course, there is something to be said for enjoying the informal friendship we have with our Lord. Paul told us to address God as "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15), the word "Abba" being a childlike word of affection like "Daddy" or "Papa."

But note the biblical balance. Jesus reminded us pray, "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name" (Matthew 6:9). We mustn't so focus on the love of God that we forget His loftiness. He is an all-consuming fire who fills heaven and earth and dwells in inapproachable light. His name must never be taken lightly or His presence entered carelessly. He is pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise, and to Him belong the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.

We reverence God and we hallow God's name when our life is such that it brings honor to God and attracts others to him.
William Barclay

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Romans 1:1-3:31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201:1-3:31&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, November 6

Breathe on Me

....singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16

Recommended Reading
Psalm 47:1-4 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2047:1-4&version=NKJV )

One of the joys of prayer is finding so many ways of doing it. Many prayers in the Bible were psalms, telling us that singable prayers are biblical. Sometimes when we can't focus our thoughts, we can turn to Christian songs old and new and sing them to God. Many hymns are written as prayers, and how meaningful to pray: "Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way." When you pray, "Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah" or "Be Thou my vision," it's your prayer, no matter who originally composed it.

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One of the most helpful hymn-prayers was penned by American hymnist B. B. McKinney, who wrote, "Take Thou my heart, cleanse every part, Holy Spirit breathe on me." McKinney was undoubtedly inspired by an earlier hymn by Edwin Hatch, who wrote: "Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou wouldst do."

Sing praise to God, and sing prayers to Him too.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thomas O. Chisholm

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Romans 4:1-7:25 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%204:1-7:25&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, November 7

Soul Food

The Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your... soul.
Deuteronomy 13:3

Recommended Reading
Mark 8:34-37 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%208:34-37&version=NKJV )

Newspaper reports recently told of an Albuquerque woman who tried to auction off her soul on eBay. The woman said she'd had a string of bad luck. She was struck by a drunk driver, left in a coma, woke up suffering a stroke, broke miscellaneous bones, and suffered a collapsed lung. She wants to pass her unlucky soul to someone else for an initial asking price of $2000.

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Our souls can't be sold, but they can be strengthened. The Bible says we can sometimes be in "bitterness of soul" (1 Samuel 1:10) and our souls can be in "deep distress" (2 Kings 4:27). But the psalmist said, "He restores my soul" (Psalm 23:3). Psalm 57:1 says, "My soul trusts in You... in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by."

Sometimes the Lord allows things to test and deepen our souls and spirits. We can say, "Thy will be done," trust the Lord with the circumstances, and find a new attitude: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits" (Psalm 103:2).

My body was very weak, but my soul was strengthened and blest with a delightful sense of God.... To do His will is my constant desire.
Methodist pioneer Francis Asbury, in his journal.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Romans 8:1-10:21 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:1-10:21&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, November 8

When You're Floundering

They also had a few small fish.
Mark 8:7

Recommended Reading
John 21:1-14 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2021:1-14&version=NKJV )

Khru Jarern pastored a church in Thailand in 1981, but his income was lean. One day his family ate the last of their food for supper. When their son asked what they would eat the next day, Jarern said, "We don't know. We will pray." That night the rain fell in buckets, and Jarern got up to secure a broken corner of his rice paddy. Feeling something slippery under his feet, he realized it was fish. Rousing his family, they caught enough to tide them over several days.1

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Several of our Lord's miracles involved fish -- the feeding of the 5000 in Mark 6; the feeding of the 4000 in Mark 8; the fish with the coin in Matthew 17; the miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5; the catch in John 21. In each case, Jesus provided for His followers in unexpected ways. He'll do the same for you -- and that's no fish story. When we ask for daily provision, it reminds us to keep our dependence on the Lord, not on ourselves.

There is a living God. He has spoken in the Bible. He means what He says and will do all He has promised.
J. Hudson Taylor

1 Various,  When God Provides  (Littleton, CO: OMF International, 1986), 24. info

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Romans 11:1-14:23 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2011:1-14:23&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, November 9

The Source of All

Give me neither poverty nor riches -- feed me with the food allotted to me.
Proverbs 30:8b

Recommended Reading
Matthew 6:11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:11&version=NKJV )

There is little in our culture today that encourages contentment. We are constantly bombarded with messages to make more, get more, and have more. Certainly, we should maximize the gifts and abilities God has given us, but not for the sake of personal indulgence. Every blessing of God is meant not only for our sustenance but also in ministry to others -- and all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

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

A wise man in the Old Testament, Agur (Proverbs 30:1), prayed that God would bless him with just the right amount -- not so much that he forgot to acknowledge God as the source and not too little that he might steal to get more (Proverbs 30:9). It would have been Agur's responsibility, of course, to honor God in the midst of much and refuse the temptation to steal in times of want. That was the perspective Paul took -- he said he had learned to be content in times of plenty and want (Philippians 4:12). Paul's entire life was in service to Christ and so he trusted God to provide what he needed.

Contentment -- trusting God for daily bread, as Jesus taught the disciples to pray (Matthew 6:11) -- is the best way to be reminded daily that God is the source of everything.

Contentment is an inexhaustible treasure.
Unknown

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Romans 15:1-1 Corinthians 1:31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2015-1%20Corinthians%201:31&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, November 10 & 11

Always With Thanksgiving: Always Thankful for Simplicity

....in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
Philippians 4:12b NASB

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 8:1-4  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%208:1-4&version=NKJV )

A number of celebrated people seem to be credited with originating the following observation: "I've been rich and I've been poor. Believe me, rich is better." It's hard to argue with that sentiment, in general. "Rich" pays the bills and provides a measure of freedom in life, but "rich" also makes it difficult to enter the kingdom of God (Luke 18:25). For that reason alone, "poor" deserves a fair look.

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We are not told to become poor for the sake of the kingdom of God, but neither are we told not to. What we are told to do is to be willing to leave all for the sake of following Christ if that is what following Him should require (Matthew 19:21-29). That happened to Paul occasionally -- sometimes he had more than he needed and other times he had less. But he had learned the secret of contentment: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

If you have less than you need today, give thanks to God for the privilege of doing everything through Christ who strengthens you. Learning to trust God is worth more than anything.

The two great tests of character are wealth and poverty.
Unknown

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Corinthians 2:1-6:20, 1 Corinthians 7:1-9:27 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%202:1-6:20,%201%20Corinthians%207:1-9:27&version=NKJV )