Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, February 5

Where Is Our Treasure?

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth ... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven ... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21

Recommended Reading
Luke 12:16-20 [ http://iz3.me/7V3R1zwXd1A1 ]

In 2009, discussions began between Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett, among the world's richest people, about what to do with their vast billions when they die. The result of those discussions is The Giving Pledge -- an international effort to encourage the world's wealthiest people to give away, or bequeath, at least half of their wealth to philanthropic or charitable causes. So far, 114 billionaires have signed The Giving Pledge.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/8V3R1zwXd1A1 ]

There is much to commend about the efforts of wealthy people to be generous. But the most basic reason to make giving decisions is because, as the saying goes, "You can't take it with you." Everything we have had, now have, or will have will remain here on earth when we die. The Bible is clear about the difference between laying up treasures here and laying them up in heaven. Treasures acquired on earth can provide returns for eternity only if they are invested for the glory of God now.

Have you thought prayerfully about what will happen to your "riches"? Invest them now to bear eternal fruit forever.

Heaven's riches are moth-proof, rustproof, and burglar-proof.
John Blanchard

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Leviticus 24–25 [ http://iz3.me/9V3R1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, February 6

The Same as Saying "No"

He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:18

Recommended Reading
1 John 4:15 [ http://iz3.me/e6CR1zwXd1A1 ]

The English word "procrastinate" comes from a Latin word made of two parts: pro ("forward") and crastinus ("belonging to tomorrow"). When we procrastinate, we move forward to tomorrow something that should be done today. Procrastination gives the illusion of neutrality. For instance, if we put off making a decision, it is easy to think we have said neither "Yes" nor "No" -- that we have remained neutral. In reality, however, the failure to say "Yes" means, by default, that we have said "No." We have remained in our original negative state by a failure to say "Yes" and move to a positive state.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/f6CR1zwXd1A1 ]

When people put off making a decision about Christ -- or about moving forward to a deeper level of spiritual maturity -- they have not remained neutral. The failure to say "Yes" to Christ is the same as saying "No." Why? Because we are born into this world saying "No" to God (Romans 3:23; 5:12). We remain condemned by sin until the day we say "Yes" to Christ.

Don't put off until tomorrow what should be accomplished today.

If we put off our repentance to another day, we have a day more to repent of, and a day less to repent.
J. Mason

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Leviticus 26–27 [ http://iz3.me/g6CR1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, February 7

From Glory to Glorious

But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
1 Corinthians 2:9

Recommended Reading
Isaiah 64:4; 65:17 [ http://iz3.me/orJR1zwXd1A1 ]

When we see beautiful photographs of the earth's natural wonders, we are often stunned at the awesomeness of God's creation. Amidst such natural beauty, we are often shocked when we remember we are looking at a creation cursed by sin (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:20-22). If earth is so beautiful in a cursed state, how much more beautiful will it be when the whole creation has been redeemed?

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/prJR1zwXd1A1 ]

It is important to remember that heaven is going to be on planet earth -- actually, there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1). The apostle Peter referred to it as the "restoration of all things" (Acts 3:21). "Restoration" refers to the perfect environment God created "in the beginning" (Genesis 1:1), the creation that was cursed by man's sin. Since we never saw Eden, we don't know what the restoration will be like. But if what we see now seems glorious at times, how much more glorious will the new heaven and new earth be?

God is calling out a people for Himself to populate heaven. Make sure you have responded to His invitation.

Wisdom opens the eyes both to the glories of heaven and to the hollowness of earth.
J. A. Motyer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 1-2 [ http://iz3.me/qrJR1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, February 8 & 9

Four Seasons: A Season of Renewal

But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Recommended Reading
Psalm 103:1-5 [ http://iz3.me/5JRR1zwXd1A1 ]

Because schools resume in September, we think of September through December as the last third of the year. School, football, Thanksgiving, and Christmas -- each month has its own focus. But if we slice the calendar a little differently, we can think of November through February as a block as well: November and December are the holidays, January is "New Year's," and February is Recovery! February is an opportunity to recover from the busyness of the holidays and Renew our focus on the year ahead.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/6JRR1zwXd1A1 ]

God knew we needed consistent times of renewal in life. In fact, he built a renewal day into every week -- the seventh day was a Sabbath of rest and renewal to prepare for the next six days (Exodus 20:8-11). And Israel had three feasts each year during which they renewed their focus on the Lord (Exodus 23:14-17).

If you are in recovery mode this month from the holiday and New Year's season, gradually shift your focus from recovery to renewal. "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind" (Ephesians 4:23) as you prepare for the year ahead.

The difference between worldliness and godliness is a renewed mind.
Erwin W. Lutzer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 3-6 [ http://iz3.me/7JRR1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, February 10

The Twinkling of an Eye

We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Recommended Reading
1 Corinthians 15:50-58 [ http://iz3.me/o5UR1zwXd1A1 ]

The bookstores are filled with books about being "a better you," on how to self-improve and live with productivity and confidence. But only two changes will ever truly make us into better people. The apostle Paul explained both to the Christians in Corinth. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, he spoke of the transformation occurring when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior: "If anyone is in Christ,  he  is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." The moment we give our lives to Him, He begins a renovation process in our personalities to make us into better people.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/p5UR1zwXd1A1 ]

The other change is the one mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15. In the future at the moment of the believer's resurrection, we will be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. All sinful and perishing vestiges of our lives will fall away, and we'll be transformed to be like Jesus. The process that began with salvation will be completed with glorification.

If you're discouraged with yourself today, remember -- there's a great day coming!

A blink ... is fast -- so fast that most of the time you don't even notice it when you blink. But the time it takes for an eye to twinkle is even faster.
Greg Laurie in Are These the Last Days?

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 7 [ http://iz3.me/q5UR1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, February 11

A Whole New You

The Lord Jesus Christ... will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Philippians 3:20-21

Recommended Reading
Philippians 3:17-21 [ http://iz3.me/sudR1zwXd1A1 ]

Several years ago the television show  Extreme Makeover  showed us how dramatically we could change our appearance using techniques as simple as a haircut, as rigorous as an exercise routine, and as drastic as cosmetic surgery. Participants were taken for their makeovers and, at the end of the process reunited with their friends and family amid oohs and aahs. Critics, however, were understandably unhappy with the show's overemphasis on physical beauty.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/tudR1zwXd1A1 ]

Without going to extremes, all of us occasionally need a little "makeover" -- a new hairstyle, a fresh outfit, a different brand of makeup, a few pounds off the scale. But remember -- the greatest makeover will happen in the twinkling of an eye when we'll be instantly transformed and glorified at the moment of rapture or resurrection. The mortal will put on immortality, the perishable will become imperishable, and we will be changed to be like the Lord Jesus.

The desire to improve our physique and appearance has created a billion-dollar industry, but God will make us over in the twinkling of an eye. The expense was paid at Calvary, and the changes will be forever.

Our resurrection bodies are not second bodies; rather, they are our present bodies transformed.
Hank Hanegraaff

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 8-10 [ http://iz3.me/uudR1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, February 12

Radiating From Within

And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
Acts 6:15

Recommended Reading
Exodus 34:29-35 [ http://iz3.me/7AnR1zwXd1A1 ]

The New York Times recently carried an article about what the newspaper called a "youthful glow, radiating from within," which characterizes certain people. The writer described the multibillion-dollar skin care industry and the prevalence of cosmetic surgery. But having a youthful glow is "more than skin deep," said the columnist. It must come from within, from our attitudes and lifestyle habits.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/8AnR1zwXd1A1 ]

Indeed. In eternity our faces will glow with radiance possible only in heaven. According to Revelation 21, the Celestial City shines with the internal radiance of the glory of God; and we can assume our faces will shine like the face of Moses on Mount Sinai, of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, and of Stephen in Acts 6.

But we don't have to wait until heaven. The Bible says: "We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Psalm 34:5 says, "They looked to Him and were radiant." The easiest way to make our faces beautiful is by looking at Him.

A person's face is the signature of his soul.
William L. Stidger, early twentieth-century preacher

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 11-13 [ http://iz3.me/9AnR1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, February 13

The Red Carpet

Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
1 Corinthians 9:25

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 5:9-11 [ http://iz3.me/O3xR1zwXd1A1 ]

Ever get tired of the awards shows celebrating actors and musicians? There are the Emmy Awards, the Academy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the People's Choice Awards, the Tonys, the Grammys, the MTV Music Awards, and lots more. An entire industry is built around these annual "red carpet" events, as everyone listens to see if their favorite stars are chosen. Meanwhile, our true heroes are often forgotten -- soldiers, schoolteachers, firefighters, missionaries, and those laboring long and hard for souls.

Listen to Today's Radio Message[ http://iz3.me/P3xR1zwXd1A1 ]

One day an Awards Ceremony will occur in heaven, where the true rewards will be distributed. The Bible says, "Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done" (2 Corinthians 5:9-10).

The reward ceremony in heaven will be unlike anything we can imagine. Treading the red carpet might be fun, but walking down the golden streets is eternal!

But isn't it wrong to be motivated by reward? No, it isn't. If it were wrong, Christ wouldn't offer it to us as a motivation.
Randy Alcorn, in The Treasure Principle

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 14-15 [ http://iz3.me/Q3xR1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, February 14

The Greatest Reward

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
Genesis 15:1

Recommended Reading
Numbers 18:20 [ http://iz3.me/TJ7S1zwXd1A1 ]

There is a trend in grammar schools and youth sports programs to award "participation" trophies, medals, certificates, or prizes to everyone -- winners and losers alike. If you compete, you get a prize; no one goes away a loser.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/UJ7S1zwXd1A1 ]

There will be rewards in heaven as well, based on our faithfulness to Christ and His glory during our life on earth (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). But even if a Christian received no rewards for faithfulness at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), there is one reward that every believer will receive: Christ Himself. Paul said that his greatest earthly ambition was to "gain Christ and be found in Him" (Philippians 3:8-9). He, and every true believer, will certainly gain Christ as his or her ultimate reward for following Him. Even though Abraham was a very wealthy man, God told him, "I am your ... exceedingly great reward" (Genesis 15:1).

Regardless of what other stature we may attain on earth or in heaven, gaining Christ will be our "exceedingly great reward." All other rewards pale in comparison.

Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.
Augustine

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 16–18 [ http://iz3.me/VJ7S1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, February 15 & 16

Four Seasons: A Season of Remembrance

And Moses said to the people: "Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place."
Exodus 13:3a

Recommended Reading
Leviticus 26:42-45 [ http://iz3.me/cAFS1zwXd1A1 ]

The people of God are called to be "rememberers." The Jews were to "remember the Sabbath day" (Exodus 20:, their forefathers (Exodus 32:13), "all the commandments of the LORD" (Numbers 15:39), their spiritual rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7), and God's covenant and "marvelous works" (1 Chronicles 16:12, 15). Most of all, God's people in both Testaments are to remember His redemptive work: the Exodus in the Old Testament (Exodus 13:3) and Christ's crucifixion in the New (Luke 22:19). Memories are a foundation on which we build for the future.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/dAFS1zwXd1A1 ]

February is an excellent month in which to pull out your journal, diary, or day planner and review God's activity in your life during 2013. There was no doubt blessing, and there may have been correction. There was no doubt provision, but there might also have been testing. But above all, there will be faithfulness to remember: "Forget not all His benefits" (Psalm 103:2).

Let February be a quiet time in which to remember all God has done in your life as you look toward 2014.

When you drink from the stream, remember the spring.
Anonymous

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Numbers 19–24 [ http://iz3.me/eAFS1zwXd1A1 ]