Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Monday, November 12

When Things Don't Add Up

....bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:2-3

Recommended Reading
Ephesians 4:1-6 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:1-6&version=NKJV )

When England's William Gladstone was Chancellor of the Exchequer, he relied on some statistics that had been miscalculated by a clerk. The blunder was only discovered after Gladstone had given a budget speech in the House of Commons, and the mistakes held him up to ridicule. He sent for the clerk, who arrived expecting to be fired. "I sent for you," said Gladstone, "because I could imagine the torture of your feelings. You have been for many years dealing with the bewildering intricacies of the national accounts, and you have done your work with...exactness... It was because of your splendid record that I did not trouble to verify your calculations. I have sent for you to compliment you on that record and to set you at ease."1

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

When things don't add up in a friendship, add grace and subtract rancor. Perhaps someone has made a mistake affecting you. With the Spirit of Christ, seek to be gracious, understanding, patient, and forgiving. Christ loved us even while we were yet sinners; and remember -- forgiveness aids the forgiver as much as the one needing forgiveness.

It is a great thing to be a really good forgiver.
F. W. Boreham

1 Frank Boreham,  The Other Side of the Hill  (New York: Abington Press, 1917).


Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Corinthians 10:1-12:31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2010:1-12:31&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, November 13

When Forgiveness Is Hard

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
Luke 23:34

Recommended Reading
1 John 2:12-14 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%202:12-14&version=NKJV )

Recently a Las Vegas boxing coach named Arturo Martinez made an emotional statement to reporters as he stood with his two young sons beside him. Nearly three months earlier, he'd been nearly bludgeoned to death in a home invasion during which his wife and daughter were killed. His words, though hindered by his own brain injuries, were powerful. "I forgive this murderer because of my faith in God and in Jesus Christ," Martinez said. "Because I have to forgive him doesn't take my pain away. Because I have to forgive him doesn't mean that he will not be held accountable to God and the American judicial system... (but) I choose not to give in to this evil. I choose life and happiness for my sons... We choose to be strong and move forward."1

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

If a man like that can find the grace of Christ to forgive his attacker, shouldn't we all learn to forgive the lesser slights most of us encounter at one time or another? Let's all choose forgiveness.

Because we are the most forgiven people in the world, we should be the most forgiving people in the world.
C. J. Mahaney

1"Finding Forgiveness" in The Mohave Daily News, July 13, 2012.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Corinthians 13:1-15:34 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2013:1-15:34&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, November 14

Flirting With Fire

And don't give the devil a chance.
Ephesians 4:27 (CEV)

Recommended Reading
James 1:12-14  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:12-14%20&version=NKJV )

The age-old question "Why did Eve go near the tree of knowledge of good and evil?" hits closer to home than most of us might care to admit. If asked, "Do you flirt with temptation?" We may answer "No," But do we prove it in our daily pursuits by showing discernment as we use the Internet, choose movies, and prioritize our time with God? How close do we allow ourselves to get to temptation?

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

Temptation reveals what's in our hearts. When we walk away from a tempting scenario -- and you probably know your weaknesses -- our hearts reveal what we truly believe. Each time we flee from temptation, it's not just a single victory. That victory is one step toward more victories because resisting temptation builds spiritual muscles. When temptation strikes again -- and it will -- we'll be stronger in dealing with it because we're becoming more like Christ.

The daily habits of holiness built through reading the Word and prayer are the best ways to guard ourselves against temptation. The temptation itself has a way of strengthening us through the process to be holy and righteous people. Are you stepping toward temptation? Or away from it?

Every time we say yes to temptation, we make it harder to say no the next time.
Jerry Bridges

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Corinthians 15:35-2 Corinthians 2:17 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2015:35-2%20Corinthians%202:17&version=NKJV )
                                 

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, November 15
 
Three Words to Fight Temptation

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:11

Recommended Reading
Luke 4:1-12  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%204:1-12&version=NKJV )

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He faced it head-on with the Word of God, quoting it to silence Satan: "It is written," "It is written," "It is written" (Luke 4:4, 8, 10). If Jesus triumphed over temptation with God's Holy Word, how could anyone think they could live a life of holiness and purity apart from the Bible?

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

Just as He has created a physical immune system to equip our bodies to ward off diseases, God has provided a way of overcoming temptation. Rooting His Word in our hearts, God implants His spiritual immune system that empowers us to live healthy, righteous, godly lives. Jesus Himself models the best spiritual antioxidants for strengthening ourselves against temptation -- the godly discipline of reading and obeying God's Word.

Are you polluting your spiritual immune system with junk food -- the pollutants of the world's system? Let's commit to daily filling our hearts with God's Word and fighting temptation like Jesus did: It is written...

The Lord in his suffering... provided a path of triumph which we can walk. The Word, watchfulness, prayerfulness. That's it. No magic. That's how you deal with [temptation]. Pour the Word in. Stay alert.
John MacArthur

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Corinthians 3:1-7:16 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%203:1-7:16&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, November 16

Testing and Temptation

"...deliver us from the evil one."
Matthew 6:13b

Recommended Reading
1 Peter 5:8-9  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%205:8-9&version=NKJV )

Jesus taught His disciples to pray that God would not lead them into temptation (Matthew 6:13a). Assuming God would answer that prayer, why did Jesus then teach them to pray that God would "deliver [them] from the evil one"? If we are protected from Satan's temptations, isn't that the same as being delivered from Satan?

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

The word "temptation" can also be translated as "testing"; and while God never leads us to be tempted, He does allow us to be tested (James 1:2, 13). For instance, when Jesus was tested in the wilderness by God (Matthew 4:1-11), Satan attacked Him with three separate temptations. God led Jesus into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1), but Satan was the one who presented the temptations (Matthew 4:3, 5-6, 8-9). So Jesus' instructions about prayer were directed, ultimately, to keep Satan from getting the upper hand in our life. If we are tested by difficulties, Satan will tempt us to despair, anger, rebellion, or escape the difficulties inappropriately.

If you find yourself in a time of testing, pray that God will strengthen you to resist the temptations of Satan. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

Holiness is not freedom from temptation, but power to overcome temptation.
G. Campbell Morgan

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Corinthians 8:1-11:33 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%208:1-11:33&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, November 17 & 18

Always With Thanksgiving: Always Thankful for Adversity

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.
Psalm 119:71

Recommended Reading
1 Peter 1:6-9  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%201:6-9&version=NKJV )

Judging by the commercials on television, modern man doesn't like pain. Whether it's physical pain, the pain of a broken appliance, the pain of the Internal Revenue Service, the pain of recovering from an accident or natural disaster -- regardless of the kind of pain, if there's not a pill, there is a plan or program for relief.

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

But there may also be a purpose. The Bible suggests that adversity is a frequent visitor in our fallen world. Since God is sovereign, our first question is not how to be free of trouble but how to discover God's purpose in it. The apostle Paul was like us. When he suffered, he prayed that God would take it away. Instead, God gave him grace to live with the adversity. Immediately, Paul recognized a positive outcome: When he was weak in himself, he was strong in Christ (2 Corinthians 12:10).

It's fine to ask God to solve the adversities in life. But while pursuing resolution, ask God to show you if there is something for which you can thank Him. Something you wouldn't have experienced without the pain.

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
C. S. Lewis

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Corinthians 12:1-Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:1-4:31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012:1-Galatians%202:21,%20Galatians%203:1-4:31&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, November 19

A Great Calm

"Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Matthew 8:26

Recommended Reading
Matthew 8:23-27  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%208:23-27&version=NKJV )

Fear comes in many forms. Sometimes it's easy to detect, as when we hear a noise outside our window or wake up during a nightmare. Sometimes our fear is disguised as anxiety, worry, a panic attack, or a phobia. Fear can even be an addictive form of excitement, the kind we feel before we board a rollercoaster or watch a horror movie. But other times the horror is real, especially when our lives are in danger.

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

If fear in any form is tormenting your peace of mind, ask the Lord for the miracle of a faith that banishes fear. Consider these two verses: Isaiah 12:2 says: I will trust and not be afraid. And Psalm 56:11 says: In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.


Jesus marveled that His disciples felt fear in the storm when they should have recognized His watchful care. Four times in Matthew's Gospel He called His disciples, "You of little faith" (6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:. Be of good faith. Trust Him fully and experience a great calm.


When the problem is worry, the prescription is prayer.
David Jeremiah, in Turning Toward Joy


Read-Thru-the-Bible
Galatians 5:1-Ephesians 1:23 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:1-Ephesians%201:23&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, November 20

Lofty Language

Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; and to You the vow shall be performed. O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come.
Psalm 65:1-2

Recommended Reading
Psalm 65 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2065&version=NKJV )

In 1898, Mary W. Tileston published a little devotional book called Great Souls at Prayer. Combing through hundreds of years of devotional material, Mrs. Tileston collected some of the most poignant prayers ever penned. These she arranged in daily readings. Her selection for November 20 is especially meaningful. It was written by Henry W. Foote, an early American clergyman: "O God, who art the Fountain of Truth and the Giver of spiritual knowledge, who leadest us from year to year in unchanging love -- we bless Thee that, when by sight we could not gaze upon Thy glory, by faith we can know Thee, and lay hold on the Truth which giveth light to the soul."

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

In a day when many people take their relationship with God too casually, let's not be afraid of some lofty language in our prayers. Recognize His grandeur. Employ the language of Psalms in addressing Him who is above all. When we approach God, we are coming to a Throne of Grace, but it is still a Throne and praise is awaiting Him there.

We ask from the treasures of Thy grace for a more childlike trust, a more faithful spirit, a more loyal will.
Henry W. Foote

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ephesians 2:1-4:32 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:1-4:32&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, November 21

He'll Do It!

Is anything too hard for the LORD?
Genesis 18:14a

Recommended Reading
Luke 11:5-13  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Luke%2011:5-13%20&version=NKJV )

One of the first declarations we put together as children is, "I'll do it!" We grasp and reach and climb and hold on tight, learning to protect and provide for ourselves. As we grow, the potential problem is that some of us never learn -- or admit -- that we can't live life in our own strength. By refusing to surrender our lives to God, we inevitably choose frustration, fatigue, and failure.

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

Jesus taught His disciples to pray: "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). His point is that as we experience God's daily provision firsthand, we more completely understand our beneficiary-Benefactor relationship with Him. He is Jehovah-Jireh who provides for our present and future and graciously handles the deficiencies in our lives.

Has fear raised its ugly head as life crowds in and circumstances prevent the security you long for? Have you become so practiced at relying on your own strength that you aren't depending on the Lord? Make a list of the needs in your life that concern you and release them to your Provider. Do you really think your concerns are too big for the God of heaven and earth?

Faith is trusting God... because we are convinced by His provisions that God is both willing and able to keep His Word.
Scott Hafemann

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ephesians 5:1-6:24 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205:1-6:24&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, November 22

Live Above Your Circumstances

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
Psalm 100:4

Recommended Reading
Daniel 6:10-11  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%206:10-11%20&version=NKJV )

Is your cup empty or full of gratitude today? Before you sit down and offer thanks around the dinner table, ask yourself: "Am I a complainer? Or a thanks giver?" It all comes down to perspective. Are you focusing on your blessings? Or on what you've lost in life?

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

It's easy to complain about circumstances -- recessions, disease, hurt, and mounting difficulties. But we should give thanks to our God who lives above the circumstances. The Old Testament saint Daniel developed a discipline of gratitude in his life while living as a prisoner separated from family and friends. Yet even through dreary days, disappointments, and disaster, Daniel was a perpetual praise giver.

If you've had a tough week, a tough month, or even a tough year, fill your cup full of gratitude for who God is. Viewing the scope of your life from beginning to end, God has designed a purpose for you, and He wants you to trust Him. Though your circumstances may have changed this Thanksgiving, the faithful, gracious, merciful God you serve has not. Rise above your circumstances and give thanks!

Gratitude develops faith. The surest path out of a slump is marked by the road sign "thank you, God."
Max Lucado

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Philippians 1:1-2:30 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:1-2:30&version=NKJV )




Friday, November 23

Daily Prayer

Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Matthew 6:8

Recommended Reading
Luke 12:29-31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012:29-31&version=NKJV )

Jesus' brief instructions about prayer stand out for their brevity (Matthew 6:. For that reason, Jesus' pattern for prayer can be a helpful aid to prayer in the early morning hours or the last minutes of the day.

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

In the morning, use Jesus' pattern for prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) as a way to begin your own prayer time. Alone, it touches every element of prayer: praise, petition, "penance" (confession and absolution), petition, and protection. Pray it straight through, or use it as an outline, inserting specific prayers of your own that parallel Jesus' words.

Then, at night, use it as a way to thank God for His work in your life during the day: thank Him for kingdom work you accomplished, for daily bread, for forgiving your sins and giving you grace to forgive others, for not leading you into temptation, and for delivering you from Satan and evil. And while the words of praise in verse 13 are not found in all Bible translations ("For Yours is the kingdom..."), they are powerful affirmations of your faith with which to end the day.

Make the Lord's Prayer a pattern for your personal daily disciple's prayer.

The door is closed to prayer unless it is opened with the key of trust.
John Calvin

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Philippians 3:1–4:23 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%203:1-4:23&version=NKJV )





Weekend, November 24 & 25

Always With Thanksgiving: Always Thankful for Eternity

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4

Recommended Reading
Psalm 16:9-11  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2016:9-11&version=NKJV )

When a Sunday school teacher asked her class of young children how many wanted to go to heaven, every child raised a hand except Billy. When the teacher asked Billy if he didn't want to go to heaven someday, he said, "Yes, someday. I thought you were getting up a load to go today."

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

Someday, Billy will gladly raise his hand to go straight on to heaven "today." Life on this earth is only a foretaste of "the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). We know in our hearts that there is something more to life than this earth. And that is because "He has put eternity in [our] hearts" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We were created for inexpressible joy and ultimate fulfillment, not for the tastes and foreshadows that this life offers on its best days. Thankfully, Jesus has made it possible to have abundant life now (John 10:10b) and eternal life forever.

Don't feel guilty about looking forward to leaving earth and going to heaven. God Himself put that longing in your heart.

The nearer to heaven in hopes, the farther from earth in desires.
William Gurnall

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Colossians 1:1-2:23, Colossians 3:1-1-Thessalonians 1:10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%201:1-2:23,%20Colossians%203:1-1%20Thessalonians%201:10&version=NKJV )