Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: Turning Point

David Jeremiah (March-30-2023) Daily Devotional: Know Him More - Turning Point.

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. - Psalm 27:4

 Recommended Reading: Psalm 27:1-5 - AN EXUBERANT DECLARATION OF FAITH - A Psalm of David. 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;Whom shall I fear?The Lord is the strength of my life;Of whom shall I be afraid?2 When the wicked came against meTo eat up my flesh,My enemies and foes,They stumbled and fell.3 Though an army may encamp against me,My heart shall not fear;Though war may rise against me,In this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,That will I seek:That I may dwell in the house of the LordAll the days of my life,To behold the beauty of the Lord,And to inquire in His temple.5 For in the time of troubleHe shall hide me in His pavilion;In the secret place of His tabernacleHe shall hide me;He shall set me high upon a rock.

 
It often happens over a holiday meal or at a birthday party. Family members begin reminiscing, and before you know it, children are hearing stories about their parents and grandparents that they’ve never heard before. Or adult children begin sharing some of the exploits from their childhood, and their parents learn what the kids “got away with” while they weren’t looking.

It seems as though no matter how well we know someone, even our own family members, there’s always more to learn about them. The same is true for our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Some of us have been learning about God since before we can remember. But there’s always more for us to learn about Him. Like David, we should desire to know our Father more, to become closer to Him. Begin studying a specific attribute of God or spend time slowly reading through the Gospels—seek to know Him better each day.

The longer you know Christ, and the nearer you come to him, still the more do you see of his glory. - John Flavel

David Jeremiah (March-29-2023) Daily Devotional: God Over All - Turning Point. 

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. - Deuteronomy 10:17

 Recommended Reading: Isaiah 44:6 - THERE IS NO OTHER GOD - 6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:‘I am the First and I am the Last;Besides Me there is no God.

The title “king of kings” goes back to the thirteenth-century B.C. Assyrian Empire. When city-states, ruled by kings, were conquered, the conquering king would become known as the “king of [all the other] kings.” It became a superlative phrase referring to preeminence—the most powerful king (Daniel 2:37).

The phrase became common throughout Mesopotamian and Middle Eastern cultures to describe the best of the best—as in the biblical book titled “Song of Songs.” It is even used to describe the God of Israel in various forms: “God of gods” and “Lord of lords” (Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 136:2-3), the “Lord of kings” (Daniel 2:47), and Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16). When referring to our God, what does this ancient phrase mean for us today? It means God is ruler over all; He is in charge; He is King of the present and the future.

In a day when it is easy to wonder if anyone is in control, remember that there is only one “God of gods.” His will will be done on earth as well as in heaven.

How divinely supreme is our Lord above all others!  - D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

David Jeremiah (March-28-2023) Daily Devotional: The Need for Remembrance - Turning Point. 

That these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city, that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, and that the memory of them should not perish among their descendants. - Esther 9:28

 Recommended Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - INSTITUTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER - 23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.  26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

 
To this day, Jews celebrate the festival of Purim, a remembrance of God’s deliverance of the Jews from the genocide planned by the evil courtier, Haman, in Persia. Purim comes from the word pur, or “lot”—the lot cast by Haman to determine the day of the Jews’ destruction. (See Esther 3:7; 9:24-27.) Annual celebrations of milestone events help us recall the favors of God.

In a similar way, Christ gave to His Church a memorial celebration to observe until He returned to establish His Kingdom on earth—commonly referred to as Communion or the Lord’s Supper. Communion celebrates the passion of Christ at His death. The bread remembers His broken body, and the cup remembers His shed blood (Matthew 26:26-29). Each time we celebrate Communion, “[we] proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Keep Christ’s sacrifice for you current by participating in the Communion celebration regularly. Remembering the past can strengthen the present.

How worthy is it to remember former benefits, when we come to beg for new.  -  Stephen Charnock

David Jeremiah (March-25-2023) Daily Devotional: Spring Forward: Be a Prayer Warrior - Turning Point.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. - Ephesians 6:18, NLT

 Recommended Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20 - THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD - 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

 
Springtime is a great time to spring into action as a prayer warrior. The enemy is real, the battle is fierce, and we’re to wear the armor of God, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

Is there someone you can fervently hold before the Lord in sustained prayer? A family member? A youngster? Your pastor? A neighbor in need? A missionary? A member of the armed forces?

Learning to pray for someone as a prayer warrior is an exercise in creativity. How would you go about it? Maybe by writing a biblical prayer every day. Maybe by pacing back and forth in verbal conversation with God as if talking to a friend. Perhaps in finding a prayer partner and interceding for this person regularly.

Someone needs your prayers this spring. Your prayers could, well, put a spring in their step!

You are active as a prayer warrior the moment you put words to your heartfelt feelings and talk to God about them. Your heart will be deployed to wherever God sends you in prayer. - Stormie Omartian

David Jeremiah (March-24-2023) Daily Devotional: Love Whom God Loves - Turning point.

You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies. - Matthew 5:43-44

 Recommended Reading: Romans 12:14-21 - 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;If he is thirsty, give him a drink;For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 
A majority of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) concerns correcting false teaching that had crept into Jewish religious practice. For example, in Matthew 5, Jesus said, “You have heard. . . . But I say to you” (verses 21-22, 27-28, 31-32, 33-34, 38-39, 43-44). One of these six corrections concerned how to respond to enemies—those who persecute you.

In Leviticus 19:18, Moses wrote that the Jews were to love their neighbor. But the Jewish religious leaders in Jesus’ day added “and hate your enemy” (Matthew 5:43). Jesus corrected that false tradition by telling His audience that they should love their neighbor and their enemy. Why? Because God extends His grace—the blessings of nature—to the righteous and the unrighteous alike. And He said that there is no reward in loving only those who love you. Yes, loving one’s enemy is harder than loving those who love you. But we are to imitate God by loving those He loves (Matthew 5:48).

Thank God today that, even when we were His enemies, He sent His Son that we might be reconciled to Him (Romans 5:10).

Worst of all my foes, I fear the enemy within.  - John Wesley

David Jeremiah (March-22-2023) Daily Devotional: Future Possibilities.

For with God nothing will be impossible.- Luke 1:37

 Recommended Reading: Matthew 8:1-4 - JESUS CLEANSES A LEPER 8 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

 
Imagine trying to explain to Thomas Jefferson and John Adams how instead of all the Constitutional Convention delegates traveling to Philadelphia for deliberations in 1787 they could connect by video chat over computers, tablets, or smartphones. “Why, that’s impossible!” they likely would have said. It’s amazing how many ways time has turned “impossible” into “possible.”

As many “miracles” as mankind has accomplished, not all things are possible where man is concerned. But where God is concerned, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27). That’s what the angel Gabriel told Mary about the possibility of a virgin giving birth to a child: “For with God nothing will be impossible.” Notice the future orientation of those words: “will be.” Every time we think of something that is impossible, it’s a future event—and God knows the future.

If you are looking at a future event that seems impossible today, tell God your need. What looks impossible to man looks possible to God. His combination of love and power means nothing is impossible for Him where His children are concerned.

It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent.  - Jeremy Taylor

David Jeremiah (March-20-2023) Daily Devotional: God’s Justice - Turning Point. 

Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? - Genesis 18:25

 Recommended Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 - GOD’S FINAL JUDGMENT AND GLORY - 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

 
The patient was only 53 years old. He died at 6:50 p.m. of a massive stroke after suffering a series of seizures. His cerebral arteries were so calcified that when tapped with tweezers they sounded like stone. What caused his stroke? The man had no history of high blood pressure.

His name was Vladimir Lenin. He died in 1924, but in 2012 a group of brilliant doctors gathered to determine his cause of death. Some determined he was slowly poisoned by Stalin. One doctor believed the culprit was high cholesterol. The case was unsolved. Had he lived another 25 years, imagine the damage Lenin could have wrought.[1]

We serve a just God. He will punish evil even if we don’t see His justice on display right away. While we love to sing of God’s love and mercy, we also need His holiness, justice, and wrath. Unrestrained evil must be dealt with, and unjust suffering must be answered.

When Jesus comes again, He will give rest to His people and in flaming fire take vengeance on those who oppose His good and righteous ways. Don’t be discouraged. Evil will not last forever—but the Lord and His redeemed will!

In a moral universe God must of necessity oppose evil.  - Robert Mounce

David Jeremiah (March-14-2023) Daily Devotional: In Good Hands - Turning point.

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. - John 10:28

 Recommended Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6 - THE SERVANT, THE LIGHT TO THE GENTILES
49 “Listen, O coastlands, to Me,And take heed, you peoples from afar!The Lord has called Me from the womb;From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name.2 And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword;In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me,And made Me a polished shaft;In His quiver He has hidden Me.” 3 “And He said to me,‘You are My servant, O Israel,In whom I will be glorified.’4 Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain,I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain;Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord,And my work with my God.’” 5 “And now the Lord says,Who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant,To bring Jacob back to Him,So that Israel is gathered to Him(For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord,And My God shall be My strength),6 Indeed He says,‘It is too small a thing that You should be My ServantTo raise up the tribes of Jacob,And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

 
The grip of fear reaches out for each of us. We’re living in a dangerous world, filled with medical emergencies, family crises, global instability, and threatening situations. Unless Jesus comes again, we’ll face a moment of death. All this causes us feelings that range from unease to terror.

The grip of grace also reaches out for each of us, and we find safety in the protecting, guiding, providing hands of Jesus, still scarred from the wounding nails. Psalm 18:35 says, “Your right hand has held me up.” Isaiah said, “In the shadow of His hand He has hidden me” (Isaiah 49:2). Even Jesus, in a moment of incredible pain, prayed, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit’” (Luke 23:46).

When you face times of fear, remember you’re in the hands of Him who stilled the storms. God will give you the strength to be courageous and persevere. And though you may sometimes fall, you will not “be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds [you] with His [powerful] hand” (Psalm 37:24).

Put your hand in the hand of the Man who stilled the water. Put your hand in the hand of the Man who calmed the sea.
Gene MacLellan

David Jeremiah (March-13-2023) Daily Devotional: A Quiet Heart - Turning Point.

When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? - Job 34:29

 Recommended Reading: Psalm 131 - SIMPLE TRUST IN THE LORD - A Song of Ascents. Of David. 131 Lord, my heart is not haughty,Nor my eyes lofty.Neither do I concern myself with great matters,Nor with things too profound for me. 2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,Like a weaned child with his mother;Like a weaned child is my soul within me...

 
One day in 1947, when Elisabeth Elliott was a student at Wheaton College, she was sitting near a friend at the piano in one of the campus buildings. Elisabeth had written a short poem, and her friend composed a melody on the spot. Over time the melody was lost, but years later Elisabeth included the words in her book Keep a Quiet Heart.

Lord, give to me a quiet heart

That does not ask to understand,

But confident steps forward in

The darkness guided by Thy hand.[1]

We understand so little! God’s thoughts are as far above ours as heaven is above the earth. But He knows the plans He has for us, and they are important. Sometimes we feel as though our life is insignificant, but all of us are part of God’s sovereign design. Your life is important, and you can step confidently forward knowing Your Lord is already there.

We are created to glorify Him as long as we live on this planet, and to enjoy Him for the rest of eternity. Our task is simply to trust and obey. - Elisabeth Elliott

David Jeremiah (March-11-2023) Daily Devotional: Spring Forward: Mentoring - Turning Point.

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. - 2 Timothy 2:2

 Recommended Reading: Psalm 71:17-18 - O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works. 18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.

 
Nothing will help you spring forward in your Christian faith more than mentoring. Maybe that word intimidates you, but it’s simply doing what Paul wanted Timothy to do. Perhaps there’s a lonely young person who would welcome a kind word. Or a class of children to teach. Or a child or grandchild who would memorize a Bible verse if encouraged to do so.

Is there a kid’s team that needs a coach? A local school needing a volunteer? A college class that would enjoy some snacks, giving you an opportunity to mingle with them?

Every church needs workers, and every worker can find a way to disciple someone else. Fill yourself with Scripture, grow in wisdom and confidence, and develop good insights. Then ask God to use you to encourage someone else in their spiritual formation. Adopt this biblical prayer today: “O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come” (Psalm 71:18).

Even the scars of past abuse and injury can be the means of bringing healing to another. What wonderful opportunities to make disciples! - Charles Swindoll