Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Monday, February 4

The Sun Also Rises

The sun also rises, and the sun goes down ... The wind whirls about continually ... There is nothing new under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:5-6, 9

Recommended Reading
Ecclesiastes 2:24-26  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%202:24-26&version=NKJV )

Start to finish, it took Ernest Hemingway eight weeks to compose the draft of his novel about a group of decadent expatriates in Spain. He originally titled his book Fiesta, then changed it to The Lost Generation, a phrase coined by Gertrude Stein about those unhinged by World War I. But the title that stuck was from Ecclesiastes: The Sun Also Rises. Hemingway began his book by quoting this passage about the transient nature of the cycles of life. His point was that day after day the sun rises over succeeding generations of lost humans who seek to be brave in the approaching darkness.

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

Ecclesiastes is a warning that if we reject God and live as if everything were "under the sun," we're a lost generation whose fiestas merely distract us from the futility of life. But when we develop God's vision for our lives -- His plan and purpose -- everything changes. Our daily mood and morale soars. We can say, "The Son also rises, with healing in His wings." And because He lives, we live also.

Our only boast, our only confidence, our only hope must be in Christ.
R. Kent Hughes

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Leviticus 22-23 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2022-23&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, February 5

Doing All for Eternity

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
John 15:16

Recommended Reading
Luke 12:16-21  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012:16-21&version=NKJV )

In the October 8, 2012, issue of Forbes business magazine, the annual list of billionaires appeared. Prominent attention was given to those billionaires who have made significant charitable contributions toward education, medical research, poverty, and other critical human needs. One billionaire was profiled in a separate article because of his commitment to supporting evangelical Christian causes. Speaking of his business success, he said, "So I have learned to say, 'Look, this is yours, God. It's all yours. I'm going to give it to you.'"

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All good works are good, but not all good works will last forever. The ultimate joy in life comes when we invest in things that will bear fruit both now and for eternity. That means investing in spreading the Word of God so that the souls of men can live with God forever. Meeting human needs now often provides an open door for the Gospel. Feeding body and soul provides the ultimate satisfaction, physically and spiritually.

Consider your own work and good works -- and keep the eternal perspective clearly in focus.

We do all for eternity.
Thomas Brooks

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Leviticus 24-25 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2024-25&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, February 6

Ripple Effect

For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God.
2 Corinthians 9:12

Recommended Reading
Galatians 6:7  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206:7&version=NKJV )

The next time you slice a tomato for a salad or sandwich, pay particular attention to the tiny seeds. There are scores, if not hundreds, of seeds in a single tomato. And the tomato you are slicing is only one of dozens that came from a single tomato plant -- which grew from a single tomato seed. It's a perfect example of the ripple effect so prevalent in the kingdom of God.

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

It can be discouraging when we compare our individual abilities to the needs in the world. Yet the same multiplier effect that causes one tomato seed to produce thousands more is at work in our individual lives. Only heaven will reveal the impact of your gifts and good works. Paul told the Corinthians that their gifts to the suffering Jerusalem church would not only meet those Christians' needs, but would "[abound] through many thanksgivings to God." That is, a single gift will bring praise to God in multiple ways we can never anticipate.

As you invest your time, talent, and treasure for the glory of God, do so with anticipation. One day you will learn how God used you as a blessing to others -- a ripple effect throughout eternity.

Sow holiness and reap happiness.
George Swinnock

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

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, February 7

Holding On

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Recommended Reading
Colossians 2:6-7  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Colossians%202:6-7&version=NKJV )

Did you know there's a connection between thunderstorms and the quality of the food you eat? High winds have a positive effect on many plants, stimulating their roots to grow deeper so as to anchor the plant more firmly in the soil. And when roots grow deeper, they find fresh reserves of minerals that are taken up by the plant and deposited in the fruit. And it's minerals that provide nutrition. A stressed plant offers the sweetest fruit -- in due time.

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And the same is true with us. When God allows winds of adversity to blow against us, we are forced to extend the roots of our faith deeper into the soil of God's promises and provision, just to hang on through the storm. But when the storm passes, we have newfound faith, strength, maturity, and humility as a result of learning to hold on to God. That's why God doesn't remove every storm so that we learn to depend on the grace of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). But we have to give the process time.

If you are in a storm right now, dig deep into God and hold on. The sweet fruit of peace and joy will soon appear.

Patience is the ballast of the soul that will keep it from rolling and tumbling in the greatest storms.
Ezekiel Hopkins

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

[Judy Harder]

Friday, February 8

Seasons of Life

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:3

Recommended Reading
Acts 1:6-7  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Acts%201:6-7&version=NKJV )

Moses was a busy man for the first season of his life. But for the second season, he had to flee for his life to Midian where he worked as a shepherd for 40 years. Moses could have been excused for believing that his usefulness to God was over. It had been four decades since he had heard from the Lord. Then, at age 80, God called Moses back into service for another 40 years. Moses' life is an example of the biblical principle that the seasons of life pass according to God's perfect timetable.

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In the Bible, the word "season" refers to the passage of time (Genesis 1:14) and the agricultural cycle-planting, harvesting, and resting (Leviticus 26:4). Though the ancients knew nothing of the revolution of the earth around the sun and the tilt of the earth's axis that cause seasons, they knew that seasons were always coming and going. And they knew they could be neither slowed down nor speeded up. They knew that seasons were in the hand of God.

Our life has its seasons just as the earth does. As God gave Moses a time of rest between times of service, so He orders the seasons of our lives as well.

The man who lives in God is never out of season.
Vance Havner

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

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, February 9 & 10

Words from the Wise: Jesus

The queen of the South... came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 12:42

Recommended Reading
Matthew 13:53-58 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013:53-58&version=NKJV )

Cy Young won more baseball games than anyone in major league history, a record unlikely to be broken -- 511 wins over twenty-two years. But who knows? Records are made to be broken. Many people thought Solomon's place as "the wisest man in the world" could never be bested. Then Jesus came.

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In childhood, Jesus "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." As a preacher, His messages invoked the response, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this?" Isaiah said of Him, "The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding"; and Paul said, "In (Christ) are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Our Lord is able to guide us. His words are dependable; His direction unfailing; His advice irrefutable; His counsel trustworthy. As Jesus said, wise people build their lives on the rock of obedience to His commands (Matthew 7:24).

Jesus is still teaching us through the Bible and through His Holy Spirit in our hearts. Jesus was, and is, and always will be the wisest rabbi, the wisest teacher.
Karyn Henley

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 5-6, Numbers 7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%205-6,%20Numbers%207&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, February 11

Sweet Peace, the Gift of God's Love

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.
Colossians 3:15

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

Have you noticed how many "wars" are raging around us? I'm not talking just about military conflicts. We have a way of branding everything a war. There's a war on coal, a war on drugs, and a war on poverty. Companies get into bidding wars, neighbors get into wars of words, and Microsoft and Apple are duking it out in tablet wars. Not to be outdone, churches sometimes engage in worship wars.

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Some wars are worth fighting, and some are unavoidable. But what we most need is peace -- peace in our world, in our homes, in our churches, and peace in our hearts. One day the Prince of Peace will come, and "of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:7). God will ultimately balance the scales of right and wrong. Until then, we can experience peace  with  God and the peace  of  God. Today fix your thoughts on Him. Turn your eyes to His promises. Place your circumstances in His hands. Claim His wonderful, wonderful peace, sweet peace, the gift of His love.

Peace, peace, sweet peace, wonderful gift from above.
Peter P. Bilhorn, hymnist
 
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 8-10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%208-10&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, February 12

Riches or Relationships?

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12

Recommended Reading
Mark 7:9-13 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%207:9-13&version=NKJV )

Mark explained a Jewish practice called "Corban" (Hebrew for "offering") in his Gospel for his Gentile readers. Tradition (not Scripture) allowed for a Jew to dedicate (offer) money or possessions to God in a vow, even money that should have been used to support his parents. Jesus soundly criticized such a practice as a violation of the fifth of the Ten Commandments: "Honor your father and your mother" (Mark 7:9-13; Exodus 20:12).

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In other words, Jews who engaged in the practice of Corban were putting money above people, riches above relationships. All it takes is a reading of King Solomon's words about the value of relationships to see which is more important. It is the people in our lives who provide help with our labor, a hand-up when we fall, warmth and companionship when we are lonely, and defense against attacks (Ecclesiastes 4:8-12). And when it comes to the relationships in our family, Paul said we are worse than a pagan if we put selfishness over their care (1 Timothy 5:.

There is nothing wrong with riches, but they need to remain in their place -- second to our relationships with others.

No amount of riches can atone for poverty of character.
Unknown

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 11-13 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2011-13&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, February 13

Acts of God

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19

Recommended Reading
James 1:16-17 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:16-17&version=NKJV )

"Act of God" is a legal term that appears in contracts. It refers to events that are beyond human control such as natural disasters, illnesses, and other events. In other words, when bad things happen, God gets blamed. Even when God is not blamed for causing a disaster, He is blamed for not preventing it.

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What's missing in this discussion is a biblical understanding of God's economy and the nature of a fallen world system. Bad things happen because of sin -- a curse extended even to planet earth (Genesis 2:17-19). The whole world is laboring under the burden of sin, longing to be set free (Romans 8:19-22). God is not sitting idly by watching bad things happen. Rather, He allows sin to run its course as part of His demonstration of the need for repentance. God's righteousness stands in stark contrast to the darkness in a fallen world (Psalm 19:7-11; Romans 1:19-20).

When you experience difficulties, resist the temptation to blame God. Instead, depend on the "acts of God" that Scripture verifies -- His deliverance and compassion for those who trust in Him.

Jesus treats wars and natural disasters not as agenda items in a discussion of the mysterious ways of God, but as incentives to repentance.
D. A. Carson

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 14-15 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2014-15&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, February 14

Promise Keeping

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it ... Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5

Recommended Reading
James 5:12 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%205:12&version=NKJV )

The third of the Ten Commandments -- "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (Exodus 20:7) -- has been wrongly interpreted to mean using God's name in a curse or profane statement (although that is certainly to be avoided). Originally, it referred to making a vow or promise with God as your witness that you would keep your word. If you failed to keep your promise, you were guilty of using His name in vain. You had involved God in your deceit or unfaithfulness, and God is not to be "used" by His people for their convenience in such a way.

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King Solomon wrote an extended paragraph about the danger of making vows and promises to God and, by extension, to others with God as our witness (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). The apostle James, following his half-brother, Jesus of Nazareth, went further: Don't make vows at all. Just let your "Yes" mean yes and your "No" mean no (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12). Instead of making a promise in God's name, we should let our character serve as a guaranty for our word.

If you say "Yes" or "No" today, follow through appropriately. Better not to promise than to promise and not pay.

We must never promise ourselves any more than God has promised us.
Matthew Henry

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