Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Friday, February 28

Our Hope in Trials

In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me.
Psalm 86:7

Recommended Reading
Matthew 19:13-14 [ http://iz3.me/qhgT1zwXd1A1 ]

This past November, Typhoon Haiyan devastated coastal towns in the Philippines, killing thousands and making hundreds of thousands homeless as its storm surge raked its water across the numerous islands in the Philippines. The city of Tacloban was destroyed, creating communication, medical, and food and housing issues for the survivors.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/rhgT1zwXd1A1 ]

One young mother was found wandering -- alone and sad. A television interview revealed that she had lost her husband and all six of her daughters. She had found them in the debris and made a makeshift cover for their bodies. Numb with grief, she asked, "Where do I go?"

Where do we go when we are heart-broken and in despair? We go to the One who loves us with an everlasting love. We do not comprehend fully why events like this storm occur, but we do know that it is not God's will that children perish (Matthew 18:14). Jesus himself made this assurance.

If you have gone through a loss recently, especially the loss of a child, you have the assurance from God Himself that you will see your child again one day and that God will keep your little one safe for eternity. God will attend to the voice of our call.
When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you're slamming the door in the face of God.
Charles L. Allen

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Deuteronomy 23–25 [ http://iz3.me/shgT1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, March 1 & 2

The Approval Process: Lip Service

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11

Recommended Reading
Proverbs 25:8-15 [ http://iz3.me/BmpT1zwXd1A1 ]

Dr. William Mayo of the Mayo Clinic was known for his habitual use of praise and encouragement. Whenever a younger doctor read a paper at a staff meeting, Dr. Mayo would inevitably approach him afterward, put his hand on his shoulder, and offer a quiet word of encouragement, like "Good work!" Afterward the younger doctor would likely get a note saying, "Dear so-and-so, I learned more from that paper of yours the other night than I ever knew before." It's also said that Mayo's smile and greetings to his patients as he made his daily rounds had almost as much to do with their recovery as his medicine.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/CmpT1zwXd1A1 ]

Could that be said of you? What about at home to family members? On Sundays to church members? Through the week at work, school, and the marketplace? While we can't approve of everyone's actions, we can always be as pleasant as possible in any given set of circumstances. We can build others up with encouragement, and we can ask God to always give us a word fitly spoken. How wonderful to express our approval in words of gold spoken in the right settings.

Words are [ powerful ] seeds. Once planted... words will bring forth flowers or weeds, health or disease, healing or poison. You carry a great responsibility for their use.
Dennis and Barbara Rainey, in  Building Your Mate's Self Esteem

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Deuteronomy 26-29 [ http://iz3.me/DmpT1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, March 3

Be Prepared

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Matthew 25:13

Recommended Reading
Titus 2:11-14 [ http://iz3.me/HrsT1zwXd1A1 ]

Since 1907, the motto of the Boy Scouts movement (and many Girl Scouts organizations) has been, "Be Prepared." Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, defined what it means to be prepared: "You are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty."

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/IrsT1zwXd1A1 ]

If we add "spirit" to mind and body, we will have a workable perspective on what it means as a Christian to be prepared -- to be ready in body, mind, and spirit to do our duty. Doing our Christian duty on a moment-by-moment basis is one thing for which we must be prepared. But there is an even greater reason for readiness: the any-moment return of Jesus Christ. Jesus told a parable about ten members of a bridal party who were awaiting the bridegroom's cortege to arrive. Only five had made adequate preparation, while the other five, failing to do their duty, were locked out of the celebration. When Jesus said, "Watch therefore," He was saying, "Be prepared -- be about your duty until I return."

We prepare for Jesus' return in two ways: one, by submitting to Christ as Savior and Lord, and two, by serving Him faithfully as we watch for His return.

I will therefore be prepared at all times for that which may come at any time.
Unknown

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Deuteronomy 30-32 [ http://iz3.me/JrsT1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, March 4

Now and Then

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, whether good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10

Recommended Reading
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 [ http://iz3.me/5T2U1zwXd1A1 ]

The notable seventeenth-century English scientist Sir Isaac Newton said in his third law of motion that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Generalizing, we could say that nothing happens in a vacuum; every action produces a reaction or result of some sort.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/6T2U1zwXd1A1 ]

The apostle Paul said that every Christian is a member, or part, of the body of Christ. As such, the actions (or lack of actions) of any one part influence every other part. The New Testament also says that every Christian will stand before the judgment seat of Christ one day to have our words (Matthew 12:36) and our deeds (1 Corinthians 3:13) judged. Everything we do now will create a response then. We do not live our spiritual life in a vacuum; there are no hidden words or deeds in God's sight.

We know Christ is coming again. We know He is going to examine our life for the purpose of giving rewards. Therefore, we ought to live every moment of life as if we are living in His very presence -- living now in order to hear Him say, "Well done" (Matthew 25:21, 23).

Today, let us rise and go to our work. Tomorrow, we shall rise and go to our reward.
Richard Fuller

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Deuteronomy 33-34 [ http://iz3.me/7T2U1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, March 5

The Truth About Angels

You may learn in us not to think beyond what is written.
1 Corinthians 4:6

Recommended Reading
Acts 12:5-11 [ http://iz3.me/JFCU1zwXd1A1 ]

New York Magazine recently carried a story on the evolution of angels. Years ago, angels were primarily creatures we read about in the Bible, heard about in missionary stories, and saw on Christmas cards. Until a hundred years ago, they were typically portrayed as male; but gradually they became increasingly feminine and beautiful, and now the media and retailers often portray them sensually. Angels have also become New Age symbols of mysterious charm. Even some Christians get caught up in angel mania and go beyond biblical teaching on this subject.

Listen to Radio Today's Message [ http://iz3.me/KFCU1zwXd1A1 ]


Remember: The Bible is our only factual, definitive, trustworthy source of angelic truth. We don't have to be speculative. Our culture is fascinated by angels, but too many people make angels into something they're not -- just as they often do with God. Rejoice in the reality of angels and study the truth about them in the Bible. But be cautious about going beyond what Scripture says on this subject (while being equally cautious not to neglect anything the Bible does teach us).

Ignorance of angels and their actions is inexcusable, seeing the Scripture speaks in no uncertain terms about them.
Herbert Lockyer, Sr., in  All the Angels in the Bible

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Joshua 1-4  [ http://iz3.me/LFCU1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Friday, March 7

Lord of Hosts

The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.
Psalm 24:10

Recommended Reading
Psalm 24 [ http://iz3.me/BSUU1zwXd1A1 ]

One of the strangest battles of World War I was waged on August 23, 1914 -- the Battle of Mons -- when four divisions of the British Expeditionary Force met German troops over the sixty-foot-wide Mons Canal in Belgium. After withstanding six hours of bombardment, the British forces withdrew amid terrible scenes of conflagration. Here's what's strange about the retreat. London newspapers shortly afterward carried the accounts of British soldiers who reported seeing heavenly guardians aiding in the retreat and saving the army from annihilation. Some of the hospitalized soldiers spoke of "the secret army of Mons," and many became believers in Christ.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/CSUU1zwXd1A1 ]

When we read such stories, we're intrigued and perhaps even encouraged. But we don't base our doctrine or build our theology on personal accounts or individual experiences. Our beliefs are grounded in Scripture alone. The Bible itself sufficiently speaks of angels as organized like an army, mobilized, ready to come to our aid as God directs them.

Angels are innumerable heavenly beings -- immortal and invincible creations of God. He is the Lord of the hosts of heaven.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Thomas Ken, in the "Doxology"

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Joshua 8-10  [ http://iz3.me/DSUU1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, March 8 & 9

The Approval Process: Fan Club

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
2 Timothy 1:6 (ESV)

Recommended Reading
2 Timothy 1:1-7 [ http://iz3.me/lCeU1zwXd1A1 ]

Linguists aren't sure where we concocted our term fan. Some trace fan back to the British term fancy, which, in olden times, meant "to like something very much." We still occasionally speak of "taking a fancy" to something or someone. Other experts claim the word is a shortened form of  fanatic -- someone who is overly enthused about something, such as a sport or celebrity. Regardless of its origin, the word became popular in the late 1880s in America, and we've all been fans of something or someone ever since.

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/mCeU1zwXd1A1 ]

If you know someone needing encouragement, consider yourself a one-person fan club. That's what the apostle Paul was for Timothy, as he exhorted the young man to fan into flame the gift God had given him. Paul reminded Timothy of his heritage, of his testimony, of his calling, and of his Lord. The apostle prayed for his young disciple; and when Timothy came to the end of his earthly life, he could surely have looked back and said, "Thank God I had a fan."

Help someone gain a sense of approval this weekend. Be their fan.

All around you are people whose lives are filled with trouble and sorrow, and they need your compassion and encouragement.
Billy Graham, in Billy Graham in Quotes

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Joshua 11-17 [ http://iz3.me/nCeU1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Monday, March 10

Rejoicing Angels

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:10

Recommended Reading
Luke 15:4-9 [ http://iz3.me/QRhU1zwXd1A1 ]

When a British man lost his wedding ring while vacationing with his wife at a beach, they called a local man who makes a hobby out of helping people find lost items. Wearing a wetsuit and using a metal detector, the man searched for four days until he found a wedding ring in the sand. The name inscribed on the inside was proof that the correct ring had been found. The man's wife said, "I thought that angels had wings, but now I know that they can arrive in a wetsuit as well."1

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/RRhU1zwXd1A1 ]

Whether an angel was involved in that search effort or not, we do know that angels in heaven rejoice when a certain kind of lost "item" is found. In telling a parable about a lost sheep, Jesus concluded by saying there is joy among the angels over "one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10). If you are a sinner saved by faith in Christ, you were the cause of great rejoicing among heaven's angels!

Is anything more valuable than an eternal soul? Let's strive to give the angels innumerable reasons for rejoicing!

There is no one so far lost that Jesus cannot find him and cannot save him.
Andrew Murray

1"Lost wedding ring found by 'angels in a wetsuit' on Bournemouth beach," bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10594296.Lost_wedding_ring_found_by__angel_in_a_wetsuit__on_Bournemouth_beach (accessed November 5, 2013).

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Joshua 18-20  [ http://iz3.me/SRhU1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, March 11

Classes of Angels

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:16

Recommended Reading
Ephesians 6:12 [ http://iz3.me/ohqU1zwXd1A1 ]

From the playground to corporations to governments, humans create structures of authority and responsibility. That tendency must have something to do with being created in the image of God. Even His angels seem to be organized!

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/phqU1zwXd1A1 ]

We get glimpses in Scripture of titles, assignments, and classes of angelic beings. There are cherubim (Genesis 3:24) and seraphim (Isaiah 6:2-7), presumably angelic beings. There are principalities and powers who have authority and dominion (Colossians 1:16). There is a ruling angel, an "archangel" named Michael (Daniel 12:1; Jude 1:9) who seems to have responsibility for the protection of Israel (Daniel 10:13; 12:1). And a primary messenger, or ambassador, named Gabriel (Luke 1:11-20, 26-38). It is no surprise, then, that evil angels also have ranks and designations (Ephesians 6:12).

Give thanks today that there are also "ministering spirits" sent to serve those who believe (Hebrews 1:14).

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains. And the mountains in reply, echo back their joyous strains.
From a French carol

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Joshua 21–22 [ http://iz3.me/qhqU1zwXd1A1 ]

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, March 12

Angels by Name

Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
Jude 1:9

Recommended Reading
Luke 1:26-38 [ http://iz3.me/CC3V1zwXd1A1 ]

Biblical names often had special meaning. For instance, Abraham means "father of many [ peoples ]" -- a name given by God when He entered into a covenant with the patriarch (Genesis 17:4-5).

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/DC3V1zwXd1A1 ]

The two good angels whose names we know may also reflect their roles. Michael means "who is like God?" -- a name that fits Michael's challenge to Satan over the disposition of the body of Moses (Jude 1:9). Satan had once said, "I will be like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:14), and Michael defended God's authority concerning Moses' remains. We know Michael's name because another angel identified Michael to Daniel (Daniel 10:13; 12:1).

Gabriel means "man of God" -- a name that fits his role as a messenger for God delivering important revelations to Daniel, Zechariah (father of John the Baptist), and Mary, mother of Jesus.

We can take comfort in the personal identities and roles of God's mighty angelic servants who work to accomplish His will "in all places of His dominion" (Psalm 103:20).

Angels are the dispensers and administrators of the divine beneficence toward us.
John Calvin

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Joshua 23-24 [ http://iz3.me/EC3V1zwXd1A1 ]

Read An Interview with David Jeremiah from Preaching magazine here: [ http://iz3.me/FC3V1zwXd1A1 ]