Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, October 19 & 20

Do Not Be Afraid: The Opposite of Fear

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."
Mark 5:36

Recommended Reading
Luke 8:49-55 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%208:49-55&version=NKJV )

When we think of faith, we think of belief. And when we think of the opposite of belief, we naturally think of unbelief. Therefore, we conclude that the opposite of faith is unbelief. And from a dictionary perspective, that is true. But the Bible usually sets something besides unbelief in opposition to faith -- and that is fear. From a grammatical point of view, the opposite of believing may be not believing. But from the perspective of life, the opposite of faith is fear.

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

Jesus demonstrated this clearly when a Jewish man begged Him to come and heal his sick daughter. On their way, friends of the man met them and said it was too late -- the little girl had died. But Jesus said to the man, "Do not be  afraid ; only  believe ." Jesus didn't tell the man not to  doubt  -- He told him not to  fear.  Faith and hope are focused on the future. Facing the future without faith and hope is a good reason to be fearful. Going forward, we have two choices: faith or fear.

Whether the future you are focused on is five minutes, five months, or five years away, "Do not be afraid; only believe."

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.
George Muller

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Mark 14-16 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2014-16&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, October 21

When Disease Strikes

Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.
John 11:3

Recommended Reading
John 11:1-5 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011:1-5&version=NKJV )

A disease is a condition causing pain, dysfunction, distress, or death to the one afflicted. Most diseases affect the personality in some way, and they can also drain us financially. Some are exotically rare and have names like Lymphangioleiomyomatosis; others are as common as arthritis.

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

Perhaps you're alarmed at twinges in your chest, aches in your bones, a persistent cough, or a speck of blood where it shouldn't be. Or maybe you're past those initial symptoms. You've been diagnosed. You are battling disease right now. The Lord may or may not heal us of all our diseases on earth, but ultimate healing and eternal health is included in what Jesus did for us on the cross. He suffered excruciating pain to give us resurrection bodies free from illness, aging, or debilitating disease. Matthew 8:17 says, "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses." Isaiah 53:5 says, "By His stripes we are healed."

Illness makes us all uncomfortable, but it can turn our thoughts to Him who loves us even when we're sick.

We often need physical therapy, but God is the great spiritual Therapist who can keep us strong of heart even when we're weak of body.
David Jeremiah

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

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, October 22

Counterproductive

The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?
Proverbs 18:14

Recommended Reading
Proverbs 18:10-14 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2018:10-14&version=NKJV )

Henry Venn was an English pastor and revivalist during the days of evangelist George Whitefield, with whom he was a close friend. When illness struck him down, Henry continued to maintain a vital prayer ministry, even from his sickbed. His grandson later said, "He often declared that he never felt more fervency of devotion than whilst imploring spiritual blessings for his children and friends, and especially for the success of those who were still engaged in the ministry of the blessed gospel, from which he was himself laid aside. For himself, his prayer was that he might die to the glory of Christ."

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

During his illness, Henry was so full of the Holy Spirit that the doctor treating him observed that the joy he felt at his near departure was actually counterproductive to his dying! It kept giving new stimulus to his life.

Many people who have gone through a trial of illness find a renewed joy in life and in their Savior, and often a renewed ministry and message. Let the Holy Spirit sustain you in illness.

Suffering prepares you by training you to trust God and know that He is always at work in your life.
Charles Stanley

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

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, October 23

Now Departing

The time of my departure is at hand.
2 Timothy 4:6

Recommended Reading
Philippians 1:19-26 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:19-26&version=NKJV )

A woman in Gothenburg, Sweden, was shocked when she opened her local newspaper and read her own obituary. The column began, "Our dear daughter, sister and friend has left us today in sorrow." There followed details of her life and passing. The woman was understandably upset and knew she had to call her mother to warn her of the mistake, but she was crying too hard to make the call. Officials have yet to determine who played the cruel joke.

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

One day we'll all be reading our own obituaries in the newspaper. At least, others will be reading them. Death is a 100 percent certainty for mankind. But the Bible uses the word "depart" instead of "dying" for Christians going to heaven. Paul had a desire to "depart and be with Christ, which is far better" (Philippians 1:23).

We try hard to avoid thinking about death, but going to heaven is our greatest hope. If we meditated more on this, perhaps we'd inspire others to look to God for the eternal answers only He can provide.

He whose head is in heaven need not fear to put his feet into the grave.
Matthew Henry

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

[Judy Harder]

Monday, October 28

Life's Starting Point

The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.
Psalm 25:14

Recommended Reading
Psalm 25:12-15 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2025:12-15&version=NKJV )

The Bible talks about the fear of the Lord over 300 times, and we're told the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). It's the starting point for understanding life. It's also the starting point of blessings, for Psalm 128:1 says, "Blessed is every one who fears the LORD." According to Solomon, fearing God and keeping His commands is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

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

Since the Bible says there is "no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1), we've been delivered from the fear of God's wrath. Yet Paul told the Philippian believers to "work out [ their ] own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). For believers, the fear of God is the astonished reverence we feel as we gaze upon His majesty, contemplate His immensity, and recognize His infinite power. That's a missing ingredient in much of Christianity.

Many fears that grab our senses and control our actions are foolish; but when it comes to Almighty God, we need to approach Him with awe, respect, and reverent fear.

I believe that the reverential fear of God mixed with love and fascination and astonishment and admiration and devotion is the most enjoyable state and the most purifying emotion the human soul can know.
A. W. Tozer

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

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, October 29

Remember the Spring

Both the singers and the players on instruments say, "All my springs are in you."
Psalm 87:7

Recommended Reading
Psalm 87 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Psalm%2087&version=NKJV )

A family in a typical American home once entertained a man from a poverty-stricken village in the developing world. "Three places to eat!" was all the man could say, as he saw the dining room, the kitchen table, and a picnic table on the deck. The Lord blesses us with our daily bread, and with multiple places to eat it. Many of us have plenty of clothes, and multiple closets. The Lord daily opens the floodgates of heaven and pours out blessings beyond enumeration.

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

There's a Chinese proverb that says, "When you drink from a stream, remember the spring." How easy it becomes to mutter, grumble, complain, bellyache, and yield to discouragement and depression. Instead we should count our blessings and praise God from whom all blessings flow. As the psalmist said, "All our springs are in Him" (Psalm 87:7).

When our heart is filled with gratitude, it's easier to remember the goodness of God in the past and trust Him for future blessings. Ralph Waldo Emerson was right when he counseled, "Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously."

Thou who hast given so much to me, give one more thing: a grateful heart.
George Herbert

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 19-20 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019-20&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, October 30

Life Is Hard. Then ...

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57

Recommended Reading
1 John 5:4-5 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%205:4-5&version=NKJV )

A well-known bumper sticker has been around for a few years that reads, "Life Is Hard. Then You Die." That bumper sticker might be found on a car driven by a nihilist ("there is no purpose"), a cynic ("life is a joke"), an existentialist ("life is absurd"), or a humanist ("it's every man for himself"). These worldviews agree: Death is unavoidable in the end, so what's the point?

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

Death is the great leveler -- it is appointed unto man once to die (Hebrews 9:27). Without a solution for the problem of death, life can appear to be an exercise in futility. But that is the great message of the Christian Gospel! God has given us victory over our ultimate death through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In fact, without Christ's resurrection that provides for ours, Paul would agree with the bumper sticker: "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable" (1 Corinthians 15:19). But because of the Gospel, we can change the bumper sticker to read, "Life Is Hard. Then We Die and Live Forever!"

Is that your hope today? If so, thank God for the victory that is yours in Christ.

Let's keep our chins up and our knees down -- we're on the victory side!
Alan Redpath

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 21-22 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2021-22&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, October 31

Glory and Grind

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%204:16-18&version=NKJV )

When parents see their child receive a college diploma ... when an athlete wins the race ... when a new business turns a profit ... when treatments result in a clean bill of health -- these are moments in life when we think, "It was all worthwhile." All what? All the hard work, the pain, the long hours, the practice, the harsh treatments -- whatever it took before the final result was realized.

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

A day is coming when every Christian will realize that it was all worthwhile. All what? The choices, the discipline, the obedience, the sacrifice, the sufferings of living in a fallen world. Life can be hard, no doubt about it. But Paul says that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory" that is to come (Romans 8:18). He also calls our temporary "afflictions" the preparation for an "exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17). That which is in the future for the Christian makes everything in the present worthwhile.

If you are a Christian who sometimes grows weary, remember the glory to come. The glory makes the grind worthwhile.

Glory for the Christian is more certain than the grave.
John Blanchard

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Luke 23-24 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023-24&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, November 1

The Awe-Full Creator

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
Psalm 33:8

Recommended Reading
Psalm 96:1-13 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2096:1-13&version=NKJV )

When the Scottish missionary David Livingstone first viewed (what he named) Victoria Falls in southern Africa in 1855, he was likely the first European ever to see it. He must have heard the falls long before he saw them, and marveled at the sound! Victoria Falls is the largest sheet of falling water in the world -- twice the size of Niagara Falls on the United States and Canadian border. More than 5,600 feet wide and 350 feet high, Victoria Falls is also known by its indigenous name, "the smoke that thunders."

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

"Smoke that thunders" could have been the name of Mount Sinai where the newly-freed Hebrew slaves first trembled before Yahweh, their God (Exodus 19:16-19). There is no end to the natural wonders that humans encounter -- not only on planet earth but in the heavens above. But if the creation is awe-inspiring, how much more "awe-full" is the Creator? When we stand speechless before a natural wonder, we must remember that it is the God who created nature before whom we should stand in awe.

The next time you find yourself stunned by the beauty and grandeur of our world, let your thoughts become words of praise to the One who made it all.

Where the sovereignty of God is denied there will be no holy awe of Him.
A. W. Pink

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

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, November 02 & 03

Blessing Bundles: Friends, Family, & Church

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:4

Recommended Reading
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201:4-9&version=NKJV)

A twelve-year-old boy went missing last summer at a Wisconsin ballpark; and for two terrible hours his grandmother, joined by police and civilians, searched for him. He was found safe and sound, asleep on the backseat of a car. He said he'd gotten tired and gone back to his grandmother's car to stretch out. But he'd mistakenly climbed into the wrong car for his nap. Imagine the relief and thanksgiving felt by that woman when she knew her grandson was safe.

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

Sometimes when a friend or family member irritates us, it's a good idea to pause and thank God for the blessing of having them near. Things could be much worse, and we should be grateful things are as good as they are.

The apostle Paul anguished over the faults and failures of the Corinthians, yet he still found reasons to tell them: "I thank my God concerning you for the grace of God which has been given to you." Pause today, and give thanks for the bundle of blessings you have in the love and support of family, friends, and church.

Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice .... It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint.
Henry Nouwen

Read-Thru-the-Bible
John 3-6  ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203-6&version=NKJV )