Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, March 22

Rest and Refresh

Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink."
John 7:37b

Recommended Reading
Matthew 11:28-30


They were nuns, monks, hermits, and ascetics, and were known as the Desert Fathers (or Desert Mothers, for nuns). Beginning with Anthony the Great who moved to the Middle Eastern desert around A. D. 270, thousands of others followed in his footsteps seeking spiritual purity, enlightenment, solitude, and perfection.

Their pattern of "retreating" contributed to today's practice of taking a "retreat" to refresh oneself spiritually. Fortunately, it's not necessary to retreat to the desert or a mountaintop, either temporarily or permanently, to find spiritual refreshment. Jesus said if we would but come to Him--for living water or for rest (Matthew 11:28-30)--we would find it in abundance. We can create that place of rest in a place of prayer or Bible study or meditation or worship--anywhere we can retreat from the cares and busyness of life. When we turn over those cares to God in prayer through Christ, His peace will guard our heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7).

If you can retreat to a serene spot in nature--wonderful! If that's not possible, retreat with Jesus wherever you can. He will meet you there.

You made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless till they rest in you.
Augustine

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 4:1-8:22

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, March 23

Calm and Quiet

Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:2

Recommended Reading
Psalm 23:1-3


According to medical researchers at Duke University, there is a "vicious cycle" involving insomnia, anxiety, and depression.* It's sort of a "which came first: the chicken or the egg?" scenario. Perhaps it's the one that presents first, but once the cycle starts it doesn't matter. Anxiety might cause insomnia, which might result in depression, which might lead to greater anxiety ...and the cycle continues as the symptoms feed off one another.

There are plenty of good reasons to be anxious, depressed, and sleepless in today's world. But Christians have promises from God that should alleviate all three symptoms--promises that God rules over all the earth and knows the beginning from the end of history. Our task is to do what the psalmist David did: He didn't worry about "great matters" or things "too profound" for him. Instead, he "calmed and quieted" his soul like a "weaned child" at rest in its mother's lap--peaceful and quiet (Psalm 131:1-2).

God's job is to guide the world. Your job is to "be anxious for nothing" (Philippians 4:6), to rest in the Father's promises.



Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 9:1-12:25

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, March 24

Life on Purpose

Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
Hebrews 5:8

Recommended Reading
Romans 8:28-29


If John 3:16 is the most recognizable verse in the entire Bible, then Romans 8:28 is surely next: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Christians love this verse because it says that everything--the good and the bad--that happens in our life will be used by God for a good purpose.

While that is comforting, Romans 8:28 doesn't tell us all we want to know. It doesn't tell us what the good purpose is. For what purpose is God orchestrating all the events of our life? Fortunately, we are told in the next verse, Romans 8:29: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." God's purpose is to conform us to "the image of His Son." Our lives follow the same pattern of testing that Jesus followed: "He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." As Jesus proved His Sonship by His obedience, we are conformed to His image by ours.

Whether this day is "good" or "bad" in your sight, it has moved you closer to the image of Jesus.

God is working out his eternal purpose, not only in spite of human and satanic opposition, but by means of them.
A. W. Pink

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 13:1-15:35

[Judy Harder]

Friday, March 25

Living Above the World

...such a one was caught up to the third heaven ...into Paradise and heard inexpressible words.
2 Corinthians 12:2-4

Recommended Reading
2 Cor. 12:1-6


William Tennent, a friend of George Whitefield, died one day--or so it seemed. People gathered for Tennent's funeral, but the doctor wasn't sure he was dead and sent the people home. The patient thereafter opened his eyes and later explained that while unconscious he had envisioned himself in heaven. The glory was unutterable. Everyone was singing melodiously and there was a spirit of indescribable joy.

For years afterward, Tennent testified that he felt such a "sense of divine things" that everything else seemed vain. "Such was the effect on my mind of what I had seen and heard, that if it be possible for a human being to live entirely above the world, and the things of it ...I was that person."1

Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one knows sleepless nights and deep sorrow. But as a believer, we also know that during the dark hours we're not alone. God's comfort surpasses understanding. We anticipate heaven, and that enables us to live above the world.

I want to live above the world, though Satan's darts at me are hurled; for faith has caught the joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground.
Johnson Oatman

1S. B. Shaw, Touching Incidents (Michigan: J. W. Hazelton, 1893), 154-156.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 16:1-17:58

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, March 26 & 27

Experiential Living: Experience Hope

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul.
Hebrews 6:19

Recommended Reading
Jeremiah 17:7-8


Linguists tell us that the English words "hope" and "hop" appear to be related. It's the idea of leaping in expectation. "Hope" is defined as the attitude of anticipation. It's looking forward to those things we know will happen. Hope is related to optimism and a positive view of the future. That's a reality that only Christians can truly experience. Think of it! One of the blessings given us in Christ is an unassailable positive anticipation toward a certain future. It's such a distinctive and exclusive attitude that the Bible tells us to always be ready to explain to others the reason for the hope that is within us.

The word "hope" appears 154 times in the Bible. It's too bad this is a short devotional, for we only have room for one other verse: "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

There are more than 150 more references for you to investigate. So hop to it--and be hopeful today!

He is not only called the God of hope because He is the object of hope, but because He is the author if it; and all the Scripture is written to work hope in us, so saith v. 4 of the same chapter.
Thomas Goodwin, Puritan, on Romans 15:13

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 18:1-1 Samuel 24:22

[Judy Harder]

Monday, March 28

Performance Under Pressure

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Recommended Reading
2 Cor. 1:8-11


Pro football fans talk about DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average) for teams and individual players. The quarterback with the best DVOA ranking for 2009 was Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. That means he was the most productive under pressure of all quarterbacks (based on the DVOA formula).

Pressure in sports is temporary; pressure in life is continual. The apostle Paul talked about the pressure he faced--hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down--and how he continued to bear fruit. Jesus described the pruning process in the spiritual life that results in more fruit (John 15:1-8). And we have the promises of God that assure us no pressure will ever be more than we can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). Indeed, like silver in the refiner's fire, heat burns away the dross and reveals the true value of Christ in us (Galatians 2:20).

How would you rate your performance under pressure in the spiritual life? The purpose is "that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in [your] mortal flesh" (2 Corinthians 4:11).

While the fire is hot, keep conversing with the Refiner.
F. B. Meyer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 25:1-27:12

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, March 29

Two Kinds of Prayer

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"
Mark 9:24

Recommended Reading
Matthew 6:9-13


Christians who attend liturgical church services--services where prayers and creeds are written out and repeated each Sunday--find security in the repetition of time-honored words. Christians who attend non-liturgical services find comfort in the opposite--praying and professing in a different, spontaneous way each week. Not only is there room for both in Christendom, there is room for both in each Christian's life.

Jesus taught His disciples a prayer to pray--word for word--that has been repeated in church services for nearly two thousand years (Matthew 6:9-13). But the Bible is also filled with instances of spontaneous prayers--prayers that only make sense in the moment. Like the father who sought relief for his demonized son: "Lord ...help my unbelief!" Prayers prayed by memory allow us time to pray meditatively, thinking about God rather than searching for words. Spontaneous prayers call up passion and devotion and shameless dependence on the only One who can help.

As you pray, include both practiced prayers and pressured prayers. And enjoy the blessings that come from each.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 28:1-31:13

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, March 30

Being Carried by God

And in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.
Deuteronomy 1:31

Recommended Reading
Hosea 11:1-4


Sometimes, when a toddler is exhausted or the path is too steep, the child will be scooped up and carried by a parent. But knowing the child might always opt for an easy ride, parents at other times insist that their child walk. Sometimes assistance is needed, other times admonishment. Sometimes carrying, other times calling.

Israel experienced both from God in her days as a "toddler" nation. Most of the time God carried Israel through the wilderness when they were just getting to know and trust Him. Moses, in recounting Israel's history to the second generation of Israelites who would enter the Promised Land, said that God "carried [Israel], as a man carries his son" until they reached the banks of the Jordan River. Like any father, God then expected Israel to do the hard work of creating a homeland out of Canaan. It is comforting to know that God is willing to carry His children when they are at their weakest.

If you are walking through your own wilderness, ask God to lift you up on His shoulders, to carry you as if on "wings like eagles" (Isaiah 40:31).

God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him.
J. Hudson Taylor

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 1:1-3:39

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, March 31

Out of Ideas

"O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."
2 Chronicles 20:12

Recommended Reading
John 6:66-68


It is often said, "When all else fails, read the directions." Or, "We're out of ideas--it's time to pray." Sometimes, man-made or common-sense answers are sufficient for the problem at hand. (But remember--even common sense is a gift from God.) What about when there is no obvious answer to life's questions?

Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, was out of answers. A vast army had gathered against Jerusalem and Jehoshaphat realized he had "no power against this great multitude." A king or commander knows when the odds are for him or against him, when man's military (or other) answers are adequate and when they aren't. Yes, we should pray and seek the Lord in either case. But in some cases, the better part of wisdom is to pray, "This is way beyond me. I have no idea what to do, Lord, but my eyes are on You!" The apostle Peter made such a confession once: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).

Don't be afraid to say, "Lord, I have no idea." God knows what to do and is waiting for you to ask Him.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 4:1-7:29

[Judy Harder]

Friday, April 1

Are You Boared?

The boar out of the woods uproots it, and the wild beast of the field devours it. Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts; Look down from heaven...
Psalm 80:13-14a

Recommended Reading
Psalm 80


Last winter, a Frenchwoman was strolling near the town of Bagneres-de-Luchon when she was threatened by wild boars. Clambering into a large tree, she shivered up in the branches waiting for the beasts to leave. When she tried to climb down, she slipped, fell about six feet, and became lodged in the branches. Fortunately she had a GPS-equipped cell phone, and authorities were able to rescue her by helicopter.

The writer of Psalm 80 was distressed that the hedges were broken down and the wild boars were running wild (verse 13). He was speaking figuratively of his foes. But he knew his rescuer, the Shepherd of Israel who dwelled between the cherubim. "Look down from heaven and see," he cried. "Revive us, and we will call upon Your name" (verses 14, 18).

It's one thing to be bored, and another to be boared. Are your problems driving you up a tree? The Lord knows your location. When the foes are attacking and problems are mounting, look for help from heaven. The Lord will revive you as you call upon His name.

God and one believer make a majority in any problem or perplexity.
Dr. V. Raymond Edman

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 8:1-11:27