Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Friday, December 7

Destination: Heaven

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7b

Recommended Reading
Matthew 6:19-21 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:19-21&version=NKJV )

A letter received by the "Conscience Fund" of the U.S. Government stated: "Please accept this money for two postal stamps I re-used." Another person seeking relief from their guilt wrote, "About eight years ago I took from a railroad station an item worth about $25... so I'm enclosing $50 to clear my conscience." Since 1811, the U. S. Department of the Treasury has received millions of dollars of voluntary contributions from people who have stolen from or defrauded the United States Government. Most gifts are sent in anonymously, but others are forwarded by clergy who received deathbed confessions.1

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

Surprised? It's interesting how a heartfelt fear of judgment can spring us into action, especially when we consider death. None of us knows how short or long our lives may be, and it's a good practice to keep our consciences clear with God each day. When your feet touched the floor this morning, did you think about the brevity of your life and get your heart right with Him? "Search me, O God, and know my heart..." (Psalm 139:23).

You may reach heaven tomorrow or many years from now. Before you start your day, take time to confess your failings and focus on your ultimate destination.

1 articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-12-10/news/1991344144_1_conscience-treasury-employees-treasury-department (accessed 8/15/12)

Read-Thru-the-Bible
James 1:1-2:26 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:1-2:26&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, December 8 & 9

Not So Familiar Christmas Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Recommended Reading
Isaiah 9:1-7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%209:1-7&version=NKJV )

Each of the titles in Isaiah 9:6 describes a different attribute of the Lord Jesus. He came as a Child and identified Himself as a Son. He wonderfully counsels us, is the Father of our Faith, brings peace to our lives, and is God Himself.

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

Let's focus on His counseling ministry. In the Gospels, distressed parents came to Jesus for help. The sick and diseased sought Him out. Wealthy men like Nicodemus and the Rich Young Ruler asked His advice; and the poor heard Him gladly. He counseled both men and women, both young and old. He guided His disciples through emotional problems, and even gave life-changing counsel to the repentant thief on the cross.

Today He still counsels us through His Word and by His Spirit. When you don't know what to do or need a corrective or encouraging word, open your Bible. He's still the Wonderful Counselor. As hymnist John Morison wrote in 1781: "His Name shall be the Prince of Peace, forevermore adored, the Wonderful, the Counselor, the great and mighty Lord."

Read-Thru-the-Bible
James 3:1-5:20, 1 Peter 1:1-2:25 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%203:1-5:20,%201%20Peter%201:1-2:25&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, December 10

Unbelievable Success

Look among the nations and watch -- be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.
Habakkuk 1:5

Recommended Reading
1 Corinthians 2:9 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%202:9&version=NKJV )

Dr. Erwin Lutzer, pastor of the Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, wrote a wonderful book with a complete message just in the title: Failure -- The Back Door to Success. His point was that a failure or defeat is often the very thing God uses to open the door to victory or success in an unexpected way.

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

The prophet Habakkuk had just such an epiphany just before the Babylonian destruction of Judah. His prophecy is unique in the Old Testament because it is not addressed to the nation but to God. His questions for God -- "Why are You allowing wickedness to run rampant and are doing nothing about it?" -- reflected the heart of the righteous in Judah. It appeared that God was allowing the nation to fail -- something Habakkuk couldn't understand. God's answer to Habakkuk was that He was about to do something in Judah that Habakkuk wouldn't have believed if he hadn't heard it from God Himself.

When you find yourself on the verge of defeat, look for what God will do to surprise you. And allow Him to determine the definition of victory!

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Peter 3:1-5:14

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, December 11

The Heights of Praise

But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.
Psalm 22:3

Recommended Reading
Habakkuk 3:17-19 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk%203:17-19&version=NKJV )

Hot air balloonists are subject to the winds. There is no way to control the direction of a hot air balloon when it stays at a certain altitude. But by venting hot air from the balloon and dropping to a lower altitude, or heating the air in the balloon and rising to a higher altitude, the pilot can find a stream of wind blowing in a different direction. Thus, the problem and the solution are found in the same place -- only at different altitudes.

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

Just as a hot-air balloon is a captive of the wind at a given altitude, so we often see ourselves as captives of our circumstances. God, who could set us free, seems to be absent at the altitude at which we are living. But He is never absent. As in ballooning, the solution is found in the midst of our problem. The psalmist David realized that when God seemed to be absent, He was there all the time -- in the praises of His people. When we praise God in the midst of our problems, we find He has been there all the time.

Don't be held captive by the winds of circumstance. Rise to new heights of praise and discover the presence of God.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Peter 1:1-3:18 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%201:1-3:18&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, December 12

How to Avoid Disappointment

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:5

Recommended Reading
Psalm 119:16 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119:16&version=NKJV )

Scientists have finally discovered a guaranteed way to avoid disappointment in life. First, unplug the phone, the television, the Internet, and don't answer the door. In short, have no interactions with other human beings. Second, get rid of all appliances (anything that might break). Third, expect the worst of everyone and you'll never have reason for disappointment.

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

Okay, that's a little extreme. The truth is that disappointment can't be avoided for those who live a normal life. People will fail us, things will break, plans will change, and disasters will happen. Surely Jesus was disappointed with His disciples on occasion, especially Peter and Judas, so we will experience disappointment as well. But the very fact that we seek perfection in life is an indication of our longing for something beyond what this world provides. And that is the love of God that gives us hope that never disappoints.

If you experience disappointment today or this week, focus your hope and expectations on the God who never disappoints.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 John 1:1–3:24

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, December 13

Faithful and True

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
Revelation 19:11

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

Jesus Christ is referred to more than 200 different ways in Scripture. One of the least known names -- it only occurs twice (Revelation 3:14; 19:11) -- is "Faithful and True." Most names in biblical times said something about the person, and "Faithful and True" is no different. Simply put, we can say Jesus was called "Faithful and True" because He was never unfaithful and He never told a lie.

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

You may know a person you consider to be faithful and true -- but no one is totally faithful and true like Jesus was. It's because of human beings' lack of faithfulness (dependability, consistency) and lack of complete honesty (exaggeration, fudging the truth, "white" lies) that we experience disappointment with each other. But the simple truth is, no human being has ever had a legitimate reason to be disappointed in Jesus -- which is quite a fact. He completed all the work God gave Him to do (faithfulness -- John 17:4) and He lived a life of complete integrity (truthfulness -- John 14:6).

If you are looking for someone who will never disappoint, consider the One who is Faithful and True.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 John 4:1-2 John 1:13

[Judy Harder]

Friday, December 14

Resting in Jesus

For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
Jeremiah 31:25

Recommended Reading
Matthew 11:28-29 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:28-29&version=NKJV )

According to WebMD.com, about 20 percent of Americans report that they average less than six hours of sleep per night. Also, the number of Americans who report getting eight hours of sleep per night is declining. Polls show that sleep deficiency correlates with poor work performance, driving accidents, relationship problems, and emotional problems like anger and depression.1

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

There were no sleep deficiency polls taken in the first century, yet Jesus knew intuitively that people were burdened and in need of rest (Matthew 11:28-30). And He invited them to come to Him to find the rest they needed. He was talking mainly about their need for spiritual rest -- the need to recuperate from the relentless reminders that they were not measuring up in God's sight. The irony is that God's standards, His laws, are designed to make us tired and lead us straight into the arms of Jesus. Paul called the Law a "tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith" instead of by our own imperfect efforts (Galatians 3:24).

If you're not getting enough sleep, go to bed early. But if you're worn out from searching for peace with God, go to Jesus.

1webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/toll-of-sleep-loss-in-america (accessed August 23, 2012).

Read-Thru-the-Bible
3 John 1:1-Jude 1:25

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, December 15 & 16

Not So Familiar Christmas Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

Recommended Reading
Luke 1:34-38 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201:34-38&version=NKJV )

The virgin birth of Christ makes possible His sinlessness. This is one of the most wondrous and marvelous aspects of Jesus of Nazareth. He's the only person in history who lived righteously on earth -- a full life of eating and drinking and socializing and working and talking and sleeping, yet totally free from the taint of sin. There was no moral failure in His dealings, and He was untainted by evil. He was pure and perfect to the depths of His being, and He maintained that purity every moment of His life.

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

Because our Lord was conceived in the womb of a virgin who had been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, He was holy and pure, uncontaminated by the blood disease of sin that has infected every other man and woman on the globe. It is a mystery, but it is marvelous; and it's vitally important. Jesus could not have died for our sins had He not Himself been sinless.

Today take a moment to praise God for providing us such a Savior and for giving us such an amazing story.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Revelation 1:1-2:29, Revelation 3:1-5:14

[Judy Harder]

Monday, December 17

The World Rushes On

You shall proclaim on the same day that it is a holy convocation to you. You shall do no customary work on it. It shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
Leviticus 23:21

Recommended Reading
Leviticus 23:1-8 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2023:1-8&version=NKJV )

We can learn a lot about holidays (or holy days) from Leviticus 23, the chapter in which the Lord builds special festivals and feasts into the calendar of ancient Israel. These special days were for worship, for family, and for rest.

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

It says: You shall do no work on it... You shall do no customary work... you shall do no customary work... You shall do no customary work... You shall have a Sabbath-rest... You shall do no customary work... and you shall do no work on that same day... It shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest... (v. 3, 7, 8, 21, 24, 25, 28, 31, 32) and so on throughout the chapter.

While there's no way to avoid all the pressures of the Christmas season, it shouldn't be a time of frenzied exhaustion. Sit down in advance and block out quiet zones. Leave some evenings for yourself. Sleep late one day. Go to bed early one night. Take time for tea or coffee with a good book. Stop working. Take time to be holy. Spend time in secret with Jesus alone.

Find rest this Christmas in the Prince of Peace.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Revelation 6:1-7:17 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%206:1-7:17&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, December 18

A Purr-fect Will

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman... therefore you are... a son, and if a son, than an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 4:4-7

Recommended Reading
Galatians 4:1-7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%204:1-7&version=NKJV )

Last year a 94-year-old woman died in Rome and left her fortune to her four-year-old cat, a former stray. The woman didn't have children or heirs, and she became so attached to her cat that she left it an inheritance of $13 million.

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

That's a ridiculous story, but here's a similar story that's not ridiculous at all. There was once a man who left the wealth of the ages to His sheep. He said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd" (John 10:10-11).

All our inheritance was released upon the death of Jesus Christ. Because He died, we have an abundant provision of everything we need. We are heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ, and He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:3, 7).

Because of Christmas we have comfort for today, hope for tomorrow, and blessings innumerable for every day. That's why it's truly a  Merry Christmas.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Revelation 8:1-10:11 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%208:1-10:11&version=NKJV )