Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, June 26

Forever Fame

Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:3


Recommended Reading
Hebrews 11:38-40 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011:38-40&version=NKJV )


When the word "star" is mentioned, images of Hollywood's celebrity culture come to mind. The bright lights of stardom and the glamour of the celebrity lifestyle appeal to all who don't possess them. But once attained, fame is fleeting and stardom is shallow. There is always a bigger, brighter level of stardom to achieve in the world.



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


God described a different kind of stardom to the prophet Daniel. God's fame is based on wisdom and turning others to righteousness. The wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and the righteous will shine like the stars. And both will shine "forever and ever." When we are committed to the work of the Lord, the world may not recognize us, but we can be certain that God's "greats" do not go unrewarded.

The certainty of eternal life in the presence of God is a level of "celebrity" of which the world knows nothing -- star power that will shine forever.

If the love of fame be our governing principle, our whole ministry will be tainted by it.
Andrew Fuller

Read-Thru-the-Bible

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

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, June 27

God's Secrets

Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, "My lord, what shall be the end of these things?"
Daniel 12:8


Recommended Reading
Deuteronomy 29:29 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2029:29&version=NKJV)


In the eighteenth century it took months for news to travel from America to Europe and back -- assuming the sailing ship was not sunk in a storm or boarded by enemies who threw anything not of immediate value overboard -- including personal and political correspondence. Then months more would elapse before explanations arrived and the process of sending information would begin again. In the Internet age, we are used to getting questions answered immediately, at the speed of light. But there are some questions for which only God has answers. And He has not revealed them all.


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


When Daniel received God's final revelations about the end of the age, he wasn't satisfied -- he wanted to know more. But Daniel's questions remained unanswered: "Go  your  way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end" (Daniel 12:9). If Daniel had to live patiently with unanswered questions, we must as well.

The Bible says what is revealed belongs to us, and that the "secret things" belong to God (Deuteronomy 29:29). And we can trust Him with His secrets.

While we cannot comprehend God in His fullness, we can know enough about Him through His revelation to praise Him appropriately.
R. C. Sproul

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 120-133  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%20120-133&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, June 28

Obsession

But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.
Daniel 12:13

Recommended Reading
Daniel 12:9 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%2012:9&version=NKJV )


Perfumes in the 1980s became stronger than those of earlier times as designers tried to satisfy the demands of sensory-oriented Yuppies. It began with "Giorgio" by Giorgio of Beverly Hills. Then Christian Dior introduced "Poison," which had such a strong floral fragrance that some New York restaurants banned it. Paris-based Guerlain introduced its sandalwood-rich "Samsara;" and in 1985, Calvin Klein debuted his "Obsession."


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


The word "obsession" often has a negative connotation, implying neurotic preoccupation; but it's an appropriate word for the way many people live. We're obsessed with pleasure, with sports, with hobbies, with goals, with entertainment.

Some believers grow obsessed with current trends, biblical prophecy, and the signs of the times. A healthy interest in those subjects is good, but God doesn't want us to be consumed by them. He told Daniel to go away and occupy himself with the work while awaiting the fulfillment of prophecy. That's what we're to do as well. Study the prophecies of the Last Days, but don't neglect the work of today.

Bible prophecy helps us to better understand the future and realize the urgent need to spread the Gospel. It motivates us to personal purity and gives us hope in a hopeless age.
Tim LaHaye

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 134-140 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%20134-140%20&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, June 29 & 30

Something to Think On

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


In the early days of computers, the acronym G-I-G-O was often used. G-I-G-O stood for "garbage in, garbage out." If you wanted the computer to give accurate information, you had to give it accurate data. Good data in, good data out. Bad data in, bad data out.

The human mind is like a computer in that it mirrors the information we feed it. A verse in Proverbs captures this idea when it says, "As he thinks in his heart, so is he" (23:7). We become like what we think about. That's why the Bible says to think on those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.

Refine your thinking on the road to new life.

Discover God's frame of mind . . . on Route 66.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Psalms 141-Proverbs 3 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms%20141-Proverbs%203&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, July 01

The Lasting Command

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19

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

Jesus spoke these words over 2,000 years ago. While the disciples did not scatter into the world immediately, once they began to be persecuted, they and the Word spread quickly. Since then, millions of disciples have taken the Gospel into their neighborhoods and around the world.


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


It is easy to put the early disciples on a pedestal, thinking they were somehow smarter, better equipped, or more courageous to share the Gospel than we are today. The truth is that they were ordinary men equipped and guided by God. They understood, just as David did when he fought Goliath, that the result of their efforts did not depend on them, but on God.

Today, we have the same commission that Christ assigned to His disciples. While His command may seem daunting, we have the same God with us, and He makes successful evangelism possible. Our only responsibility is to remain focused on Him. We can be confident in Him. He has the power to take our mustard seed faith and move mountains. Let's remain committed to letting our light shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

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

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Proverbs 4-7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%204-7%20&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, July 02

Life as Preparation

But the Lord said to [Ananias], "Go, for [Saul] is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel."
Acts 9:15


Recommended Reading
Jeremiah 1:5 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%201:5&version=NKJV )


When someone meets Christ later in life, their eyes are suddenly opened to the "things of the Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:14). They may wonder, "Have I wasted all my years up to this point, not having known Christ as Lord?" The answer is "No." Conversion may happen in a moment, but preparation for ministry may take years.


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


This is a mystery of sorts: God would have all people come to Him today for salvation, regardless of age (1 Timothy 2:4). God does not postpone anyone's salvation until they're "ready." On the other hand, it is true that many come to Christ late in life. So between those parallel truths is the mystery, exemplified by Saul of Tarsus. Saul, who became the apostle Paul, came to Christ after many years of study in the Old Testament. God used Paul's past as a scholar to make him Christ's chief apostle -- no one had theological training equal to Paul's (Acts 22:3; Philippians 3:4-6).

Regardless of when you came to Christ, ask God to show you how your knowledge, skills, and talents can be used for Christ's sake.

Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.
Corrie ten Boom

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

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, July 03

Remarkable Salvation

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
1 Timothy 1:15


Recommended Reading
Romans 3:21-26 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203:21-26&version=NKJV )


You have been invited to share your testimony of faith in Christ at an evangelistic meeting. Just before you speak, a man who was a drug dealer and who served prison time for numerous offenses gives his testimony of a glorious conversion to Christ. You were raised in a Christian home and have, compared to the converted drug dealer, a rather "unremarkable" testimony.


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


But is one testimony of salvation any more remarkable than another? The same apostle who called himself the chief of sinners also wrote that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Paul also wrote that every person who is born again to faith in Christ was "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Is bringing one dead soul back to life any more remarkable, any more of a miracle, than another? The remarkableness of God's grace is not that some "serious" sinners are saved but that  any  sinners are saved.

The focus of salvation is not on what we were, but what we have become and are becoming  in Christ.

Ever since God had a church of redeemed sinners on earth, the future of her destiny has been brighter than her past history.
William S. Plumer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Proverbs 12-14 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2012-14&version=NKJV)

[Judy Harder]

 
Thursday, July 04

To One or One Million

Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:2

Recommended Reading
1 Peter 3:15 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%203:15&version=NKJV )


In 1957, evangelist Billy Graham planned a six-week evangelistic crusade for New York City's Madison Square Garden. Instead of six weeks, the crusade lasted nearly sixteen weeks, from May 15 to September 1, and was attended by more than two million people. Billy Graham has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone in history -- nearly 215 million people in 185 countries and territories.

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


The large crusade format is most often associated with the word "evangelism." While that format has been used by God to bring many to Christ, evangelism simply means to "proclaim the Good News." Therefore, it can take place one-on-one over a cup of coffee or in a massive outdoor stadium with tens of thousands present. Crusade evangelists are simply using their spiritual gift, but every single Christian is called to be a bearer of God's Good News.

Most of us will never preach to thousands, but all of us will have the opportunity to share the "reason for the hope that is in [us]" (1 Peter 3:15). Ask God today to arrange a divine opportunity for you to be an evangelist.

There is only one means of evangelism: namely, the gospel of Christ, explained and applied.
J. I. Packer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Proverbs 15-17 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2015-17&version=NKJV )

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[Judy Harder]

 
Friday, July 05

Learning Obedience

But why do you call Me "Lord, Lord," and not do the things which I say?
Luke 6:46

Recommended Reading
Luke 6:47-49 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Lue%206:47-49&version=NKJV )


One of the most important principles parents instill in their children is the principle of obedience. Not only is it fundamental to understanding the concepts of authority, respect, and submission, it can also be the difference between life and death: "Never run into the street by yourself!" Once the principle of obedience is understood, the more abstract idea of "delayed obedience" comes into play. Children have to learn that delayed obedience is the same as disobedience.

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


But are our children the only ones who need to be reminded of this lesson? Obviously not -- various forms of the word "obey" occur nearly 200 times in Scripture. It was Jesus Himself who asked His disciples why they called Him "Lord" when they didn't do what He said. Immediately after that question, Jesus told the parable of two houses -- one built on solid rock, the other on sand. It is the house on solid rock -- the person who obeys God's Words -- that can withstand the floods that come against us in life.

The best way to instill the principle of obedience in a child's life is for parents to model obedience to God in all things.

Obedience to legitimate authority is one of the fruits and evidences of Christian sincerity.

Charles Hodge

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Proverbs 18-20 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2018-20&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, July 6 & 7

The B-I-B-L-E

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth.
Ephesians 6:14

Recommended Reading
Psalm 119:65-72 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119:65-72&version=NKJV )


Many of us learned to spell the Bible before we could read it because of a simple song learned in Vacation Bible School or Sunday school: "The B-I-B-L-E. Yes, that's the book for me." Though childish in nature, that song gives us truth for a lifetime.

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


First, it teaches that the Bible is a book for me, providing what I need to be "wise unto salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15 NIV). It tells me of creation, redemption, pardon, peace, purpose, and eternal life. In other words, it tells of Jesus.

Second, it teaches us to take our stand on the Word of God as a basis for lifelong wisdom. When we stand on the truth of Scripture, we're on solid ground, not quicksand, and we have a foundation for life.

Third, we must "stand alone" on God's Word. That has a double meaning: We stand only on God's Word, and we must sometimes take our stand alone because no one else will join us. If you're standing alone today, don't be discouraged. Just sing and read the B-I-B-L-E.

The B-I-B-L-E. Yes, that's the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.
Unknown

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Proverbs 21-26  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2021-26&version=NKJV )