Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Friday, May 10

The Mystery of God

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9

Recommended Reading
Psalm 63 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2063&version=NKJV )

Before a stranger becomes a friend, you must get to know him. This takes time. No two people are the same. The same is true of God. He is different from any being we have known. We could spend all of eternity considering His attributes and never exhaust the subject.

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

The complexity, detail and wonder of nature illustrate this. Take a leaf for example. It has color, has veins, and feeds the plant using sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide to fuel. This is one part of creation. If creation is this unique, intricate and complex, how much more is the Creator!

Thankfully we have our entire lives, both on earth and in eternity, to learn and reflect on who God is. Keep calm and worship Him.

What repeatedly enters your mind occupies your mind, eventually shapes your mind, and will ultimately express itself in what you do and who you become.
John Ortberg

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

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, May 11 & 12

May Flowers: Special Delivery

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Proverbs 31:28

Recommended Reading
1 Kings 2:18-20 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%202:18-20&version=NKJV )

Julia Ward Howe (d. 1910) was a prominent American activist who called for a "Mother's Day for Peace" in 1872. Later attempts to honor mothers were unsuccessful until Anna Jarvis of West Virginia created the forerunner of today's Mother's Day in 1908 in honor of her mother. President Woodrow Wilson formalized Mother's Day nationally in 1914. Jarvis died in 1948 regretting that her holiday had become so overly commercialized. In the midst of the commercialization, however, Mother's Day is third only to Christmas and Easter in terms of church attendance in America.

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

Fortunately, the Judeo-Christian tradition has all the reasons needed to support and honor mothers every day of the year. Children are to bless their mother, and husbands are to praise her not just on the second Sunday of May but throughout the year. Just as Solomon bowed down before his mother, Bathsheba, and set a throne for her next to his own, so the mothers in our lives deserve equal honor (1 Kings 2:19).

Pray today, with thanksgiving, for God's blessings on those with the high calling of motherhood.

I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians of England.
John Wesley

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 12-20 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2012-20&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, May 13

Test the Spirits

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1

Recommended Reading
Daniel 7:15-28 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%207:15-28&version=NKJV )

Caveat emptor is a Latin phrase that means "let the buyer beware." While literally the phrase referred to a buyer's diminished rights after the sale of property ("look before you buy"), it serves as a warning to all who are about to buy or believe anything.

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

The apostle John issued a spiritual version of  caveat emptor  in his first letter when he wrote, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God." Why? "Because many false prophets have gone out into the world." A day is coming when a political leader will rise up on the world stage and tell the world he can bring peace and prosperity if only people will give him their allegiance. And many people will -- and they will suffer the consequences. This Antichrist will speak eloquently and boastfully, and his false prophet assistant will work miracles. At that time as in no other, people will need to "test the spirits."

All Christians should be like the first century Bereans who studied the Scriptures daily to separate truth from error (Acts 17:11).

The way to test yourself, the way to test any man, is to look below the surface.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 21-24 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2021-24&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, May 14

Be Prayerful and Careful

Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them.
Deuteronomy 11:16

Recommended Reading
Mark 13:21-23 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2013:21-23&version=NKJV )

Does a deceived person know he or she is deceived? By definition, No. It is, in fact, possible to be deceived about deception. For instance, many Christians are not aware that, while the coming Antichrist is an individual human person, there is a spirit of the Antichrist already let loose in the world causing many to be deceived (1 John 4:1-3).

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

The spirit of the Antichrist is, of course, Satan -- "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44, NIV). Satan's native language is lies, and his primary methodology is deception by counterfeiting the truth. To miss a target by an inch has the same result as missing by a mile, and Satan is satisfied with an inch's -- worth of error in what he promotes on earth. Satan's main tactic in spiritual warfare is to misrepresent the Word and character of God. And the closer we get to the end of the age, the more deception he will attempt to foist on the human race.

Go slow, be careful and prayerful, and test everything by patience and the Word of God. Ask God to examine what you believe and to confirm by His Word any error (Psalm 139:23-24).

The fundamental deception of Satan is the lie that obedience can never bring happiness.
R. C. Sproul

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 25-28 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2025-28&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, May 15

Cunning and Innocence

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.
Genesis 3:1a

Recommended Reading
Proverbs 5:3-6 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%205:3-6&version=NKJV )

We often miss, in English, the subtleties of the Bible's original languages. For example, in the story of Adam and Eve's temptation and fall into sin, the serpent is described as "cunning." Before their encounter with the serpent, Adam and Eve are described as "naked." What we don't see in English is that the Hebrew words for "cunning" ('arum) and "naked" ('arom) are almost identical. This was no linguistic coincidence.

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

Moses' point was to link the serpent's craftiness with Adam and Eve's innocence, symbolized by their nakedness. The serpent was no doubt beautiful in appearance and his words were definitely persuasive -- words that piqued the first couple's interest and appealed to their human desires to taste what was forbidden. By yielding to the serpent's charisma, their eyes were opened and their innocence lost.

The point: Innocence is often lost at the hands of that which is crafty, beautiful, or charismatic. Every follower of Jesus must be wise about what is good and innocent amidst what is evil (Matthew 10:16).

The whole history of the world is discovered to be but a contest between the wisdom of God and the cunning of Satan and fallen men.
A. W. Tozer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 29-31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2029-31&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, May 16

A Defeated Foe

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8

Recommended Reading
Revelation 20:7-10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2020:7-10&version=NKJV )

Some readers of novels begin on page one and read page by page until the conclusion. They want to experience the questions, the tension, the crises, and the surprises just as the author intended. Others begin their reading five pages from the end. They want the context of the conclusion to provide a backdrop before they return and begin reading at the start.

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

The Bible is not a novel, and certainly not a work of fiction, though it does follow a generally chronological path from Genesis to Revelation. So there is value in reading the Bible from beginning to end. But it is also entirely legitimate to read the last chapters first. When we read about the doom of Satan (Revelation 20) and the forthcoming New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22), we are given great confidence as to how things play out in the end. The apostle John put it best: "... the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:.

Face this day with the confidence that the Bible's final pages declare: Satan is a defeated foe, and you are a victor in Christ!

Satan, as in his first temptation, is still on the losing side.
William Gurnall

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 32-34 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2032-34&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, May 17

Caution: Trouble Ahead

Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; and it is the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
Jeremiah 30:7

Recommended Reading
Matthew 24:21-25 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Matthew%2024:21-25&version=NKJV )

In hindsight, we can usually look back after a world-changing event and see signs that indicated trouble was coming. Biblical prophecy gives us the ability to look forward and see both the signs and the events.

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That is true of the coming Great Tribulation -- the seven-year period of "trouble" that will come upon the earth. The Bible tells us clearly that this period of time is coming, but it doesn't tell us when. But like all world-level events, there will be signs that tell us the Tribulation is getting closer. What kind of signs? If the Tribulation is going to be a time of trouble like the world has never seen, then we should look for "troubling" signs in the world. And there are more of those in our day than ever before. Wars, diseases, natural disasters, geopolitical turmoil, economic instability -- these are troubles that will only be magnified in the coming Tribulation.

Just because the Church will not go through the Tribulation is no reason to take these signs lightly. We should be even more motivated to share the Gospel with those destined for that great time of trouble.

We are not to require "signs," but we are to regard signs.
Ian MacPherson

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Chronicles 35-36 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2035-36&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, May 18 & 19

May Flowers: The Tudor Rose

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalm 133:1

Recommended Reading
Ephesians 4:3-6 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:3-6&version=NKJV )

The War of the Roses was a series of mid-fifteenth-century battles between two competing families (houses) for the right to the English throne. The leader of the House of Lancaster was Henry VII (whose emblem was a red rose) and the House of York was represented by Richard III (symbolized by a white rose). Henry VII proved victorious in the battles and ascended to the throne. To promote unity in the country, Richard married Elizabeth of York and adopted what came to be called the Tudor Rose: a red rose with a smaller white rose in the center.

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While it's easy to get lost in the details of British monarchical history, sometimes the history of Christian division is no less daunting and confusing. Hundreds and hundreds of separate denominations and groups attempt to maintain "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). While the average Christian can do little to break down denominational borders, we can certainly disassemble them at the personal level.

Do whatever you can to demonstrate the unifying love by which Jesus said the world will know that we are His disciples (John 13:35).

In necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity.
Richard Baxter

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Ezra 1-7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra%201-7&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, May 20

Life's Final Test

Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
Mark 13:33

Recommended Reading
Titus 2:11-14 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus%202:11-14&version=NKJV )

Anybody who has been to school knows what "cramming" is. We know a test is coming but we fail to prepare until the last minute. Often a syllabus is handed out at the beginning of the course that has the dates of each test—so students know exactly what is coming. Yet it is human nature to put off until tomorrow what we can prepare for today.

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

The Bible is like that syllabus. It tells anyone who will read it of the last great test humanity will face: "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). Jesus Christ will return to earth to judge the world and establish His righteous kingdom of peace and justice. Many have heard this truth and have postponed preparing for this final test, the only preparation being to place one's faith in Christ Himself. And many Christians, who will also be tested by Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10), are failing to live in such a way that will result in rewards for their faithfulness.

If you do not know Christ, prepare today by accepting Him as Savior and Lord. And if you do know Him, live today in a manner that declares your faith.

No one is redeemed except through unmerited mercy, and no one is condemned except through merited judgment.
Augustine

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

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, May 21

The Unlying God

It is impossible for God to lie.
Hebrews 6:18

Recommended Reading
Hebrews 6:13-20 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%206:13-20&version=NKJV )

In his book of theology, Wayne Grudem writes, "With respect to His promises, God always does what He promises to do, and we can depend on Him never to be unfaithful to His promises. Thus, He is a God of faithfulness ... In fact, this specific aspect of God's truthfulness is sometimes viewed as a distinct attribute: God's faithfulness means that God will always do what He has said and fulfill what He has promised ... He can be relied upon, and He will never prove unfaithful to those who trust what He has said. Indeed, the essence of true faith is taking God at His word and relying on Him to do as He has promised."1

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

Among our friends, we have none who is fully trustworthy. Given enough time and the right circumstances, even our dearest loved ones may fail us in some way. But our Lord will never fail, never lie, never disappoint, never betray, never double-cross, never mislead, never forget, or let us down. He is the unlying, undying God.

God always speaks truth when He speaks. He is "the unlying God."
Wayne Grudem

1Wayne Grudem,  Systematic Theology  (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 195-196.

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