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David Jeremiah Blog

Turning Point's Free Online Library of Bible Strong Content

Home » Christian Living

Learn about God’s grace and forgiveness available through Jesus Christ while finding encouragement in Scripture. Discover principles for godly living.

Christian Living

Has Your Love for God Grown Cold?

Has Your Love for God Grown Cold?

It’s wonderful to fall in love, to be loved, and to love someone else. But we also know how easily love can cool down. That can happen in our attitude toward the Lord too. That’s what happened to the church in Ephesus. The Ephesian church began during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 18:19-21). During his third journey, Paul spent three years there, and the church in … [Read more...] about Has Your Love for God Grown Cold?

God's 6-Point Plan for Success This Year

God's 6-Point Plan for Success This Year

There is an unknown aspect of life for every human alive at this moment: the future. No one knows what it holds. For that reason, everyone faces the temptation to be fearful of it. Joshua faced an unknown future until God gave him six success principles—and promised he would prosper. The context of Joshua 1 is transition—the transition of leadership in Israel from Moses to … [Read more...] about God's 6-Point Plan for Success This Year

Do Your Priorities Align With God’s Will?

Do Your Priorities Align With God's Will?

Coronado Island is an idyllic Southern California destination that attracts locals and tourists by the thousands each summer. One popular picnic spot is Spreckels Park, which boasts a sprawling swath of lush green grass, a gazebo, playground equipment, and towering shade trees. There is just one problem: the park is nestled in the center of the nearly 33-square-mile island, … [Read more...] about Do Your Priorities Align With God’s Will?

Bible Reading Plan for 2023

2023 Bible Reading Plan

This downloadable reading plan will guide you through the entire Bible in one year. Effective Bible Study On February 28, 2016, Aleix Segura Vendrell claimed a Guinness World Record by holding his breath for 24 minutes and 3 seconds. Survivalists and scientists have determined that most humans can survive a few days without water and perhaps a month or … [Read more...] about Bible Reading Plan for 2023

In Everything Give Thanks

If you enjoy seeing science validate the teachings of Scripture, search for “health benefits of gratitude” on the Internet. Links to study after study will appear, describing the health benefits—physical and emotional—of living with an “attitude of gratitude.” What is the biblical teaching on thanksgiving? The apostle Paul says it succinctly: “Rejoice always, pray without … [Read more...] about In Everything Give Thanks

Living the Golden Rule in a Tarnished Culture

Living the Golden Rule in a Tarnished Culture

Something is changing in the Western world. Increasingly, police departments find themselves disparaged and defunded. Politicians curb law enforcement budgets, and prosecutors release criminals who end up rearrested the next day. Open borders make it difficult to control human smugglers, sex traffickers, and dangerous drugs. We never know what will provoke rioting in our … [Read more...] about Living the Golden Rule in a Tarnished Culture

How to Spot a False Prophet

How to Spot a False Prophet

Over the centuries since Christ’s death and resurrection, countless impostors have pretended to be the Messiah or claimed to know details about the future they could not possibly know. While false prophets are nothing new, they will become increasingly prevalent and destructive in the End Times. Jesus warned us about these individuals in His Olivet Discourse: “Then many false … [Read more...] about How to Spot a False Prophet

Is It Ever Okay to Lie? Advice for Christians

Is It Ever Okay to Lie? Advice for Christians

White lies. Minor indiscretions. Misinformation. Fabrications. Distortion. Our culture has invented an entire vocabulary to blunt the stigma of deception. Sometimes we convince ourselves a little white lie will protect someone’s feelings. Other times, we even lie to ourselves. Instead of admitting our mistakes, we blame our environment, chemical imbalances, or … [Read more...] about Is It Ever Okay to Lie? Advice for Christians

Is There a Wrong Way to Worship God?

Is There a Wrong Way to Worship God?

If you were to ask ten people to define “worship,” you would probably receive ten different answers. Some might describe worship as a church service or express a preference for “contemporary worship” or “traditional worship.” Others might say it’s the musical part of a church service. Still, others might refer to a feeling or an attitude. Each of these descriptions portrays an … [Read more...] about Is There a Wrong Way to Worship God?

God Wants Spies Like Us

People walking towards a light

It surprises some young people today to learn that James Bond (“007”) was not the world’s first secret agent. In fact, countries and cultures have benefited from the work of super-sleuths for thousands of years. As far back as the Old Testament, God Himself commissioned spies to carry out essential tasks in His Kingdom. It’s a strategy He still uses today—and He invites YOU to … [Read more...] about God Wants Spies Like Us

Christ's Message for the Seven Churches of Revelation and Today

The Seven Churches of Revelation in Church History

After His resurrection, Jesus Christ commissioned the apostle John to write letters to seven churches in Asia Minor about their spiritual condition. Each letter identified the church’s strengths and weaknesses and gave instructions for finding its spiritual footing. These messages reveal that the ancient Church contended with many of the challenges God’s people face today. By … [Read more...] about Christ's Message for the Seven Churches of Revelation and Today

What Is the Fruit of the Spirit and How Do I Grow It?

Drawing of various fruit

When we talk about the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23 immediately springs to mind for most Christians. But did you know that the Old Testament talks about the concept of fruitfulness more than one hundred times? Or that 24 of the 27 books in the New Testament talk about what it means to be a fruit-bearing Christian? Anything important enough for God to mention over and … [Read more...] about What Is the Fruit of the Spirit and How Do I Grow It?

How to Wait on the Lord

How to Wait on the Lord

In a well-known study on delayed gratification, researchers invited young children to eat one marshmallow right away or wait for a few minutes to receive two marshmallows. After observing the results and tracking the children for many years, Stanford University researchers determined that the children who waited for two marshmallows grew up to be more mature, successful adults … [Read more...] about How to Wait on the Lord

Introduction to The Jeremiah Study Bible

An Introduction to the Jeremiah Study Bible

Have you noticed something different about today’s Bibles? The text of Scripture has not changed, but various resources accompany the biblical text. After years of being asked to create such a study Bible, I finally felt the time was right to consolidate my life’s work into a single resource. Since 2013, The Jeremiah Study Bible has helped everyday students of the Word … [Read more...] about Introduction to The Jeremiah Study Bible

Why Study the Bible

Why Study the Bible

The Bible was written in three languages over a span of fifteen hundred years by more than forty human authors from all walks of life. Hailing from the Middle East, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, and Southern Europe, these men were kings, farmers, historians, fishermen, prophets, apostles, free men, and slaves. For all their differences, they shared a distinctive connection: The … [Read more...] about Why Study the Bible

Rejoice Always: Biblical Ideas About Happiness

Rejoice Always: Biblical Ideas About Happiness

Happiness is something everybody wants. The Declaration of Independence goes so far as to call it an “unalienable” right. But when we read, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4), it seems unrealistic—even burdensome. How can we possibly rejoice after a child dies, war breaks out, or broken relationships tear up our family? Paul, the … [Read more...] about Rejoice Always: Biblical Ideas About Happiness

Life Lessons From Deborah in the Bible

Life Lessons From Deborah in the Bible

The idea that any family is just one generation away from decline needs no other example than the children of Israel. When Deborah rose to prominence as a prophetess and judge, the rebellious generation of Israelites that fled Egypt had died in the wilderness. A new generation traveled with Moses to the plains of Moab, and he taught them how to follow the Lord. Everything … [Read more...] about Life Lessons From Deborah in the Bible

How to Become a Christian

How To Become a Christian

A Note From Dr. David Jeremiah: I know God is real, and I know He loves me. I know that He loves you, too, whoever you are, whatever your circumstances may be. I’ve been through the good times and the bad times of life, and God has always been there for me. He has never failed me. But neither has He kept me free of problems or heartbreak. In this world, we must contend with … [Read more...] about How to Become a Christian

Revelation's 7 Promises to Every Believer

Revelation's 7 Promises to Every Believer

When someone mentions the book of Revelation, what comes to mind? For many, the book conjures thoughts of the end of the world, the Antichrist, and complex symbolism. No doubt, Revelation is a deeply prophetic book that gives us the most comprehensive image of the Last Days anywhere in Scripture. Still, there is much more to it than apocalyptic imagery. Revelation is filled … [Read more...] about Revelation's 7 Promises to Every Believer

A Christian’s Guide to Preparing for the Apocalypse

A Christian's Guide to Preparing for the Apocalypse

God has used a long line of agents in earlier days who have passed their faith down to us. In biblical history, apostolic history, and the story of the Church are heroes of whom the world is not worthy. But who are God’s agents in the world now? Who are His ambassadors today? Who can represent Him in these turbulent times? It’s us! You and I are His agents of the Last … [Read more...] about A Christian’s Guide to Preparing for the Apocalypse

3 Ways to Hear the Voice of Jesus

3 Ways to Hear the Voice of Jesus

Of all the voices we hear in a day, none is more critical to how we live our lives than the voice of Jesus! Throughout history, there have been many great orators and countless inspiring speeches, but none can compare to the words of Jesus. No one ever spoke as He did. His words are perfect, infallible and unfailing, always truthful and trustworthy. He never spoke a false … [Read more...] about 3 Ways to Hear the Voice of Jesus

A Guide to Christian Prayer: Q & A

Hands clasped in prayer

Most Christians would agree that prayer is an essential spiritual discipline. We know that Scripture tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and it promises, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him” (Psalm 145:18). Yet only 55% of Christians “say they rely a lot on prayer and personal religious reflection when making major life decisions.”1 Even the … [Read more...] about A Guide to Christian Prayer: Q & A

Trusting God When Your Prayers Aren’t Answered

Trusting God When Your Prayers Aren't Answered

As a child, where did you go for answers? As a teenager, who was your “go-to” person? In your career now, do you have a mentor who helps you find the answers you seek? When Moses didn’t know what to do with the Israelites in the wilderness, his father-in-law, Jethro, told him how to organize the people into a functioning nation (Exodus 18). When David became the king of … [Read more...] about Trusting God When Your Prayers Aren’t Answered

7 Prayers for Inner Peace

7 Prayers for Inner Peace

Inner peace seems illusive at times. The consistent overflow of information and entertainment that bombards us, added to the fast-paced lifestyles we are pressured to lead, can put us on the edge of our sanity and keep us there. While we are living in this zone, it’s usually not a question of whether we are praying but how we are praying. How to Pray for Peace … [Read more...] about 7 Prayers for Inner Peace

Ask, Seek, Knock: How to Seek God’s Guidance

Ask, Seek, Knock: How to Seek God's Guidance

When American novelist and playwright William Goldman asked his two young daughters what he should write his next novel about, one said, “Write about a princess,” and the other said, “Write about a bride.” So he wrote The Princess Bride, published in 1973. Even though Goldman had won two Academy Awards for screenplays and wanted to sell his novel to a movie studio, The Princess … [Read more...] about Ask, Seek, Knock: How to Seek God’s Guidance

How to Know You Are a Christian

How to Know You Are a Christian

Someone once said that sitting in church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes you a car. The apostle John would agree with that sentiment. His first epistle, the book of First John, is devoted to helping God’s people identify truth and discern genuine spirituality. As with his gospel account, John tells us exactly why he wrote this first letter: … [Read more...] about How to Know You Are a Christian

Shattering the Myths of Predestination

Shattering the Myths of Predestination

Trekking through Romans 8:28-29 is one of the most perilous journeys in the book of Romans. In just a few words, these verses contain a doctrine that has become the watershed between two different groups of Christians: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also … [Read more...] about Shattering the Myths of Predestination

God Has Not Forgotten You

God Has Not Forgotten You

Our lives are fragile. The roof over our head may be gone tomorrow. The money in our savings account might disappear. Those dear to us in our immediate family circle may be absent in the near future. The fragility of life alone generates uncertainty and fear in some people. How can we keep feelings from twisting our view of God? There are five practical steps and two truths … [Read more...] about God Has Not Forgotten You

3 Ways to Overcome Loneliness for Christians

Silhouette of woman watching a sunset

One young, single woman quit her job in the city and moved back to her small hometown, abandoning her career, and leaving a place of service in the church she had joined. When asked why, she replied, “I just got tired of eating supper alone.” No one is immune to it. Even one of the most brilliant men who ever lived, Albert Einstein, complained, “It is strange to be known so … [Read more...] about 3 Ways to Overcome Loneliness for Christians

How Can Christians Make a Difference in America?

How Can Christians Make a Difference in America

America’s problems aren’t entirely “out there.” We worry that God is silent, but then we scroll social media instead of searching the Scriptures. We complain that our voices are being silenced, but we fail to bring our requests before the Lord in prayer. If we want to make a difference in our world, we can begin by humbling ourselves before God. • Making a Difference Begins … [Read more...] about How Can Christians Make a Difference in America?

How to Defeat Satan in Two Simple Steps

How to Defeat Satan in Two Simple Steps

The original video games that appeared in the seventies and eighties weren't rocket science. They required some hand-eye skills, yes. But intellectually speaking, they were marketed to young people, not Ph.D.s (though plenty of Ph.D.s played them at night after their children were in bed!). Satan’s mind games make the most sophisticated video games look like child’s play. … [Read more...] about How to Defeat Satan in Two Simple Steps

20 Verses for Overcoming Temptation

20 Verses for Taming Temptation

Temptation is a fork in the road. It is choosing which road to travel: the high one or the low one. Wouldn’t life be easier if there were no forks, no decisions to make—if the road were simply a straight and narrow path? But the Bible gives us no magical formulas for that kind of life. It assures us that we will come to those forks regularly, and we must choose where to … [Read more...] about 20 Verses for Overcoming Temptation

Biblical Guidelines for Christian Meditation

Biblical Guidelines for Christian Meditation

Life can be truly dizzying if we lose our perspective. Kati Metro, 74, was hiking near Phoenix, Arizona, when she fell, injuring her face, wrist, and hip. A rescue helicopter flew in, and workers strapped her to a stretcher. Unfortunately, the winds were fierce, and a line failed that was supposed to prevent the stretcher from spinning as they pulled it up to the helicopter. … [Read more...] about Biblical Guidelines for Christian Meditation

Money Is Not Evil: 5 Financial Principles From King Solomon

Money Is Not Evil: 5 Financial Principles From King Solomon

Money management may be one of the most misunderstood aspects of the Christian faith. How often have you heard someone say, “Money is the root of all evil?” Did you know that statement doesn’t appear anywhere in the Bible? It is a misquotation of 1 Timothy 6:10, which says, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (emphasis added). The Bible may be the only … [Read more...] about Money Is Not Evil: 5 Financial Principles From King Solomon

4 Practical Ways to Prepare for Christ’s Return

4 Practical Ways to Prepare for Christ's Return

The Bible draws a connection between Jesus Christ’s Second Coming and rewards for God’s faithful people. While we do not know when He will return, there are things we can do to be ready for that day. 1. We can prepare by recognizing Christ’s passion and patience. 2. We can prepare by reflecting Christ’s servanthood. 3. We can prepare by revering Christ’s honor and glory. 4. We … [Read more...] about 4 Practical Ways to Prepare for Christ’s Return

Your Words Matter: What the Bible Says About the Power of the Tongue

Your Words Matter: What the Bible Says About the Power of the Tongue

What does your speech say about you? James 3:1-12 outlines four hard truths about the power of our words: 1. God will hold us accountable for our words. 2. Our words create a disproportionate impact. 3. Our tongue is like a wild animal that can tear people apart. 4. Our words should be consistent with our Christian testimony. If your tongue has a habit of getting you into … [Read more...] about Your Words Matter: What the Bible Says About the Power of the Tongue

4 Reasons You Feel Spiritually Drained and Ways to Avoid Them

4 Reasons You Feel Spiritually Drained and Ways to Avoid Them

How do spiritual drains develop in the life of a believer? Spiritual power does not vanish overnight. It is a gradual process that worsens over time as we establish patterns of behavior that grieve or quench the Holy Spirit. This can happen in a variety of ways, but today we will examine four common leaks: 1. The drain of negative influence. Our relationships will lead us … [Read more...] about 4 Reasons You Feel Spiritually Drained and Ways to Avoid Them

What It Means to Be Clay in the Hands of the Potter

Hands working clay into pottery

Scripture’s dominant theme is a simple one: God is the Divine Potter, and humanity is the clay. It is another way to express God’s sovereignty over all people; a way to express our need to yield to His divine plan; a way to encourage us to find the purpose for which we have been made; a way to accept the divine purpose for all of God’s handiwork. 3 Principles of a Life … [Read more...] about What It Means to Be Clay in the Hands of the Potter

18 Bible Verses for Overcoming Anxiety and Stress

Woman showing stress by holding her face

The verses we’ll look at today address eight of God’s promises. Would you like to experience more of God’s love? Or His peace? Perhaps you are hoping for His deliverance. If you are short on time, you can jump to a particular topic: God's abundance God's deliverance God's goodness God's guidance God's love God's peace God's presence God's strength Corrie ten Boom used to … [Read more...] about 18 Bible Verses for Overcoming Anxiety and Stress

25 Habits of Successful Christians

25 Habits of Successful Christians

The Bible offers us, as Christians, a detailed training plan for success in our relationship with God, our relationships with others, and our inner world. By implementing these habits with consistency and perseverance, we can look forward to long-term success—and the help of angels! 4 Habits for Your Walk With God 14 Habits for God-Honoring Relationships 7 Spiritual Habits for … [Read more...] about 25 Habits of Successful Christians

5 Forgotten Habits for Spiritual Growth

5 Forgotten Habits for Spiritual Growth

Check this list of often-overlooked spiritual disciplines that are essential for growth: 1. Do you spend time in solitude and meditation? 2. Do you make a habit of praying with others? 3. Do you routinely read your Bible and Christian literature? 4. Do you ever fast? 5. Do you spend time each day confessing and repenting of sin? In our Christian experience, we sometimes … [Read more...] about 5 Forgotten Habits for Spiritual Growth

How to Use Each Day for God

How to Use Each Day for God

Three Foundational Truths for Serving God Faithfully: 1. The Christian life includes privileges and responsibilities. 2. Even tragedies can serve God's purposes. 3. God has important work for each of us. At the height of its power, the Roman Empire stretched 2,650 miles from west to east and 2,000 miles from south to north. From Rome, the Empire reached north to the North … [Read more...] about How to Use Each Day for God

This Might Be the Reason God Tells You “No”

This Might Be the Reason God Tells You “No”

Most parents understand the value of the occasional “No.” When our children were younger, Donna and I said “Yes” whenever we could, but there were times when the wisest response was “No.” The dangers of the world demand it. What if your child wants to spend the night with a family about whom you know nothing? What if they want to play in an unsafe area or near a busy street? … [Read more...] about This Might Be the Reason God Tells You “No”

Finding Your Purpose Through Pain: The Story of Joni Eareckson Tada

Finding Your Purpose Through Pain: The Story of Joni Eareckson Tada

Life has a funny way of twisting, turning, and taking us on a path we could never anticipate. Sometimes the surprises are wonderful. Other times they are absolutely devastating. They can upend the vision we had for our life, and the shock and grief of unwanted change can leave us feeling as if we no longer have a purpose. Such was the case for Joni Eareckson Tada. In an … [Read more...] about Finding Your Purpose Through Pain: The Story of Joni Eareckson Tada

7 Spiritual Disciplines for a Rewarding Life

7 Spiritual Disciplines for a Rewarding Life

Have you ever felt stuck in life—like you weren’t sure what the next step was? Or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed and burnt out from the twists and turns of life, wondering if this is really all you are made to do. All of us have felt that way at some time—but we were built for more! God has created each of us with a glorious purpose in mind. When we pursue a deeper … [Read more...] about 7 Spiritual Disciplines for a Rewarding Life

6 Signs That You're Distracted From God's Will

6 Signs You’re Distracted From God’s Will

6 Red-Flag Warnings of Spiritual Distraction 1. Pressure to compromise 2. Feelings of burnout 3. A pattern of broken relationships 4. A tendency toward pride 5. Feelings of shame 6. Reluctance to change The relatively recent release of smartphones has provided new opportunities for us to be distracted, but the problem existed long before that. When the Israelites were … [Read more...] about 6 Signs That You're Distracted From God's Will

Are My Dreams in Sync With God's Plan?

Are My Dreams In Sync with God's Plan?

For many, 2020 has been a year of broken dreams. Some of us had plans for travel, vacation, and quality time with family and loved ones. Others of us had plans for our career, to push our business to the next level, or to take the next step in our education. And many of us had plans for ministry, to go on a mission’s trip, to speak at a conference, to participate more at … [Read more...] about Are My Dreams in Sync With God's Plan?

Is God’s Will Ever Fun? Find Passion in Your Purpose

Is God's Will Ever Fun? Find Passion in Your Purpose

When Wayne was just six years old, his father built an ice rink in the family’s backyard in Ontario, Canada. Why? “It was for self-preservation,” his father, Walter, said. “I got sick of taking him to the park and sitting there for hours freezing to death.” All his son wanted to do was play ice hockey. He had been skating and playing hockey since the age of two, and by the time … [Read more...] about Is God’s Will Ever Fun? Find Passion in Your Purpose

Confidence, Joy, and Victory: Claim Your Identity in Christ

Confidence, Joy, and Victory: Claim Your Identity in Christ

According to the NCAA, only six percent of high school athletes are selected to play at the collegiate level, and fewer than two percent of those student-athletes go on to become professional athletes.1 The competition is fierce. Every detail of a team’s training and equipment can make the difference between success and failure. In the world of sports, sponsorships play a … [Read more...] about Confidence, Joy, and Victory: Claim Your Identity in Christ

Gratitude for Christians: A Thanksgiving Bible Study

Gratitude for Christians: A Thanksgiving Bible Study

Human beings are wired to be grateful. Whether we receive a kiss from a grandchild, a compliment from a stranger, or a lovingly prepared gift, we instinctually feel a sense of appreciation. Then, of course, there are other times. Gratitude comes less naturally in seasons of loss, but the Word of God gives Christians clear instructions: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for … [Read more...] about Gratitude for Christians: A Thanksgiving Bible Study

Am I Going to Heaven?

Am I Going to Heaven?

God wants everyone to join Him in heaven. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, He is prepared to welcome you. There is only one requirement: You need to seek His forgiveness before you leave this world. If you repent of your sin, confess it, and trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will be saved from the spiritual penalty of your sin and be freed to enjoy … [Read more...] about Am I Going to Heaven?

3 Lessons Christians Can Learn From the Election

3 Lessons Christians Can Learn from the Election

Every four years, the world holds its breath while America chooses a President. The decision, coming at the end of hard-fought campaigns, influences the destiny of history. Perhaps only those closest to the candidates understand the strain of the race. The pressures of running for President must be nearly as great as the stresses of office once elected. When Woodrow … [Read more...] about 3 Lessons Christians Can Learn From the Election

A Prayer for National Unity and Hope for Tomorrow

A Prayer for National Unity and Hope for Tomorrow

“What a mess.” How many times have you heard this? Or said it! And today, perhaps, many of us may feel it, more than ever. It’s been an unsettling season—an extraordinary year of turmoil: pandemic, economic issues, politics, natural disasters. After the U.S. presidential election, the mess may get even messier. But our hope is not in politics or government. Yes, as … [Read more...] about A Prayer for National Unity and Hope for Tomorrow

Making Sense of God and Politics in America: A Bible Study for the Christian Voter

Making Sense of God and Politics in America: A Bible Study for the Christian Voter

Sometimes we take the blessing of our freedom for granted, but each election reminds us of the privileges of living in a free country. At its core, America was founded on the principles of liberty and was shaped by Christian thinkers. In his inaugural address as the first President of the United States, George Washington remarked, “No People can be bound to acknowledge and … [Read more...] about Making Sense of God and Politics in America: A Bible Study for the Christian Voter

How Not to Encourage Your Friends—A Lesson From Job’s Friends

How Not to Encourage Your Friends—A Lesson From Job's Friends

Job’s friends were true encouragers for one week—they sat with him; they wept with him; and most importantly, they remained silent. But once they began to speak, they became Job’s great discouragers. They responded to Job’s words, but they failed to see his pain or to recognize suffering as a potential part of God’s plan. They assumed Job’s sin, never acknowledging the … [Read more...] about How Not to Encourage Your Friends—A Lesson From Job’s Friends

8 Heavenly Truths That Can Change Your Life Today

8 Heavenly Truths That Can Change Your Life Today

It started in California in the 1980s with an initiative to increase the self-esteem of underprivileged kids: awarding participation trophies just for showing up. In addition to awarding trophies to winners, every participant was given a trophy for participating in the activity. The Bible doesn’t say anything about participation rewards—rewards just for being a … [Read more...] about 8 Heavenly Truths That Can Change Your Life Today

Q&A: Seeking Jesus in the Last Days

Q&A: Seeking Jesus in the Last Days

Time is running out. The rapid escalation of catastrophic events around the world suggests that we are living in the Last Days, and the Apocalypse is drawing near. Christians have a responsibility to treat each day as a new opportunity to serve the Lord and lead others to Him. This collection of questions and answers from David Jeremiah’s recent book, Answers to Questions About … [Read more...] about Q&A: Seeking Jesus in the Last Days

Why COVID? Finding Shelter in God During Times of Crisis

Why COVID? Finding Shelter in God During Times of Crisis

Where can we go during times of trouble? One answer is Zahara de la Sierra in the Cádiz province of southern Spain. Originally built as a castle and fortress in the Andalusian Mountains, Zahara has endured as a place of refuge and security for nearly a thousand years. The town was founded as an outpost for the Moors of the Maghreb; its location between the cities of … [Read more...] about Why COVID? Finding Shelter in God During Times of Crisis

5 Takeaways From the Life of Daniel

5 Takeaways From the Life of Daniel

At some point in our life, we long for a mentor—someone who can wisely mold and shape our thoughts and habits, who can give us insights and help us find our way through life. You may not have a mentor right now, but there’s one very close to you—as close as your Bible. Think of the prophet Daniel as a personal mentor. God placed his remarkable story in the heart of the Bible to … [Read more...] about 5 Takeaways From the Life of Daniel

30 Reassuring Promises From God's Word

30 Reassuring Promises from God's Word

We’re living in unsettling times. Politics and economies are volatile; natural disasters and disease outbreaks are affecting millions; fear is a pandemic. It’s time for a change! While we cannot always alter our circumstances, let’s determine to transform our hearts, minds, and relationships through a renewed perspective of Christ’s imminent return and eternal promises. These … [Read more...] about 30 Reassuring Promises From God's Word

Facing Coronavirus With Courage, Cheerfulness, and Resolution

Facing Coronavirus With Courage, Cheerfulness, and Resolution

Attitude can mean the difference between victory and defeat in whatever struggle we’re facing. Morale is half the battle, as historian Robert Mackay writes in his book by that title: Half the Battle: Civilian Morale in Britain During the Second World War. According to Mackay, from the outset of World War II, the British Ministry of Information and its partnering agencies … [Read more...] about Facing Coronavirus With Courage, Cheerfulness, and Resolution

Facing the Coronavirus: 6 Strategies for Christians

Facing the Coronavirus: 6 Strategies for Christians

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has created an unprecedented crisis in our nation and the world. For the first time in my lifetime, major events and activities have been canceled to stem the tide of a lethal virus. Schools at all levels are either closed for a time or have transitioned to online learning. Broadway theaters have gone dark. Professional sporting events have been … [Read more...] about Facing the Coronavirus: 6 Strategies for Christians

Facing Coronavirus: Keep Calm and Carry On

Facing Coronavirus: Keep Calm and Carry On

Our world is embroiled in a war against an invisible enemy known as COVID-19. And every war needs a good PR department. Public relations on the home front affect the results on the battlefront and can spell the difference between victory and defeat. That’s why England’s government established the Ministry of Information (MOI) on September 4, 1939, a scant day after Britain’s … [Read more...] about Facing Coronavirus: Keep Calm and Carry On

31 Encouraging Bible Verses PLUS 15 Meaningful Choices You Can Make Today

31 Encouraging Bible Verses PLUS 15 Meaningful Choices You Can Make Today

Throughout the ages, God’s Word has been a source of hope in troubled times. Today the coronavirus is creating chaos on a global scale; its reach is unprecedented in our lifetime. Yet God’s Word remains steady, constant, and true. Like the North Star, it directs our gaze upward, and it will guide us through these dark days if we keep it in our sight. 31 Hope-Filled … [Read more...] about 31 Encouraging Bible Verses PLUS 15 Meaningful Choices You Can Make Today

A Biblical Checklist for Difficult Conversations

A Biblical Checklist for Difficult Conversations

I’m often asked about the tone of our national discourse. Not since the Civil War, people tell me, has our nation been so divided. Well, I remember the riots of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and I’m not sure how to compare the social temperature of various generations. But I’m as troubled as anyone about today’s angry rhetoric, divisive speech, racial unrest, and cultural … [Read more...] about A Biblical Checklist for Difficult Conversations

5 Psalms for Hope in Hard Times

5 Psalms for Hope in Hard Times

We all encounter difficult seasons and circumstances in our life. Perhaps the desires of our heart long to be fulfilled. Perhaps we are struggling through family or financial difficulties. Perhaps we’ve been confronted with a sudden loss or diagnosis that has shaken our world to its core. When we face difficult times, how do we hold on to hope?   King David knew a … [Read more...] about 5 Psalms for Hope in Hard Times

15 Benefits to Reading Psalms and Proverbs

15 Benefits to Reading Psalms and Proverbs

Change the oil in the car. Cook at home more often. Get adequate sleep. Play with the kids. Balance the budget. Walk the dog. Read the Bible. With so many worthwhile things to do, we often struggle to fit everything in. According to LifeWay Research, most Americans have a favorable view of the Bible, but only 57% say they’ve read at least half of it.1   We may feel … [Read more...] about 15 Benefits to Reading Psalms and Proverbs

Why Are You Here? Discover Your God-Given Purpose

Why Are You Here? Discover Your God-Given Purpose

I want to begin by asking you a question: Why are you here?  I’m not asking why you live in a certain area or how you found my blog. What I’m asking is, Why has God placed you on this earth? The process of developing a vision for your life begins by answering this fundamental question. It’s very difficult to live a meaningful life without a sense of purpose, a dream … [Read more...] about Why Are You Here? Discover Your God-Given Purpose

How to Overcome Adversity and Grow Spiritually

How To Overcome Adversity and Grow Spiritually

Moses was a murderer. David was the youngest of eight brothers. Gideon hid from his enemies. Paul persecuted Christians. Thomas was a doubter. God uses unlikely candidates to build His kingdom, and Scripture is filled with examples. In modern times, William Carey (1761-1834), a poor Englishman with almost no formal education, started a revolution in international missions … [Read more...] about How to Overcome Adversity and Grow Spiritually

8 Reasons to Keep a Spiritual Journal

8 Reasons Why I Journal--And Why You Should Too

If you’ve ever put on a pair of jeans that you haven’t worn for months, you may have been surprised by a difference in the way they fit—or maybe they didn’t fit at all! Gradual changes can escape your notice, which is why it’s important to track your spiritual journey. Sure, there are life-changing moments that produce immediate transformation, but more often change occurs … [Read more...] about 8 Reasons to Keep a Spiritual Journal

What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?

What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?

The Lord wants you to study Him. Is the word study a scary concept in your life? You’re not alone. I hear it often: “I did enough studying when I was in school,” or “I hated school, and I still have nightmares about taking tests,” or “Well, that counts me out. I never could concentrate on anything.” The Soul of Discipleship To all these concerns and more, my answer … [Read more...] about What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?

40 Bible Verses for Navigating God's Promises and Blessings

40 Bible Verses for Navigating God's Promises and Blessings

Second Peter 1:3-11 is a remarkable passage of Scripture. It starts with a promise, ends with a blessing, and lists eight things we need to add to our faith to move from the promise to the blessing. What is this promise? Peter vows that those who intently pursue spiritual growth “will never stumble” on their journey “into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus … [Read more...] about 40 Bible Verses for Navigating God's Promises and Blessings

What Does the Bible Say About God's Promises?

What Does the Bible Say About God's Promises

We’ve all done it. Maybe we promised to take the kids to the movies, but the show they wanted to see was sold out. Perhaps a traffic jam caused us to miss an important celebration. Or maybe a long overdue coffee date had to be rescheduled because of an illness. We don’t intend to break our promises, but sometimes unforeseen obstacles make it impossible to keep … [Read more...] about What Does the Bible Say About God's Promises?

How to Experience God's Blessing

How to Experience God's Blessing

We’re constantly aware of what the world thinks. Our self-images are fragile, and we become upset if someone criticizes us.… We seem to need a lot of affirmation. But when we focus on the favor of God, His affirmation and love for us become the foundation of our self-esteem. We have value and worth because He made us, He is preparing a place for us, He is coming again for us, … [Read more...] about How to Experience God's Blessing

Daily Scriptures for Finding Inner Peace

The word "Peace" in a forest setting

Samson was betrayed by a beautiful woman. David was hunted by Saul and eventually by his own son. Job lost his family and fortune. All but one of the disciples were martyred. It’s no secret: God’s people experience pain and hardship.   How can we be at peace when our world is crashing in around us? The Bible offers wisdom that has the power to steady us in any … [Read more...] about Daily Scriptures for Finding Inner Peace

8 Habits That Are Destroying Your Walk With God

8 Habits That Are Destroying Your Walk With God

Have you fallen into bad spiritual habits? God has equipped His children with everything they need to live victoriously, but many Christians miss out by falling into habits that disconnect them from God’s power, perspective, and presence. The first step to overcoming any obstacle is to identify it. Give yourself a check-up and prepare to transform your spiritual walk … [Read more...] about 8 Habits That Are Destroying Your Walk With God

Is There a Sin God Cannot Forgive?

Big image of the letter Q with the question in the middle

One of the questions I’m regularly asked is, “Pastor, can I commit a sin that God cannot forgive?” Jesus addressed the topic in Mark 3:20-30. According to Jesus, there is one thing a person can do for which there is no forgiveness either in this age or in the age to come: blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. But what does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? Let’s look … [Read more...] about Is There a Sin God Cannot Forgive?

What Is Godliness?

What Is Godliness?

Put simply, godliness is living a fruitful, obedient Christian life. It is one of seven qualities we are instructed to add to our faith after we become Christians. There are sixteen references to godliness in Scripture. All of them are in the New Testament, and most of them occur in 1 Timothy and 2 Peter. Let’s examine what it is, what it’s not, its prerequisites, its barriers, … [Read more...] about What Is Godliness?

7 Steps to a Closer Walk With God

7 Steps to a Closer Walk With God

When you think about climbing a mountain, what comes to mind? Do you envision breathtaking vistas from the mountaintop or breathless wheezing along the way? As different as they are, both perspectives capture aspects of the same journey. Reaching the summit requires grit and determination. Spiritual growth is no different. It demands perseverance, but the view from the top is … [Read more...] about 7 Steps to a Closer Walk With God

Is Faith Enough?

Is Faith Enough?

A Case for Simple Faith Jesus told a story about a wayward son who wasted his inheritance on wild living and ended up destitute. Filled with guilt and shame, the young man returned to his father’s house in hopes of working as a servant—he didn’t dare believe he could return as a son. When the boy arrived home, his father rushed to greet him, threw his arms around him, and … [Read more...] about Is Faith Enough?

10 Powerful Prayers Packed With Promise

10 Powerful Prayers Packed With Promise

The Bible is packed with powerful, life-transforming promises. God has given us this vault of infinite riches to be an instruction book for life. Why, then, do we often feel drained and powerless? Imagine a house on a pretty lot, surrounded by shrubs and flowers. A state-of-the-art power plant stands next door. That plant can produce enough energy to power the entire … [Read more...] about 10 Powerful Prayers Packed With Promise

The Bible’s Powerful 3-Step Process for Banishing Worry and Fear

The Bible's Powerful 3-Step Process for Banishing Worry and Fear

Advice columnist, Ann Landers, when asked if there was a common denominator among the thousands of letters that came to her, said that the great overriding theme of all the letters was fear—fear of nearly everything imaginable until the problem became, for countless readers, a fear of life itself. Yet Proverbs 3:25-26 commands, “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of … [Read more...] about The Bible’s Powerful 3-Step Process for Banishing Worry and Fear

When You Feel Discouraged … Do THIS Immediately

When You Feel Discouraged ... Do This Immediately

4 Aspects of God’s Faithfulness Every Christian Should Remember In case of emergency—break glass. No doubt you’ve seen signs bearing these words. Painted bright red, they stand out from their surroundings to grab our attention, offering a lifeline when disaster strikes. Whether it’s a means of turning off the gas line or accessing an AED or activating an alarm, emergency … [Read more...] about When You Feel Discouraged … Do THIS Immediately

5 Biblical Strategies for When Life Is Hard

5 Biblical Strategies for When Life Is Hard

Walking the Persistent Christian Journey The Christian life is a journey of persistence and endurance. Each morning when we wake up, we have no idea what the day will bring—a flat tire, a troubling phone call, a medical diagnosis. The question isn’t whether we’ll have trouble but when and how.  Following the example of Ernest Shackleton’s expedition to Antarctica, we … [Read more...] about 5 Biblical Strategies for When Life Is Hard

4 Ways to Meet God in Hard Times

Sun shining through mountains over a pasture

Paul Jergan’s bend in the road came in the middle of the night, May 1, 2001, when he was jolted from bed by the ringing of the phone. Half-asleep, groping in the darkness for the phone, he muttered a groggy “hello.” A half-second later he was fully alert. It was the emergency room of a distant hospital. Paul’s son, Travis, a university student in another state, was in critical … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Meet God in Hard Times

5 Principles for Biblical Decision Making

Woman looking at a fork in the road

“I pray and talk to God, but I must be doing something wrong. I can’t seem to make wise decisions, and I have trouble knowing what God wants me to do in various situations.” Can you relate to this thought process? We can find ourselves stuck in holding patterns because we can’t decide what to do. I am reminded of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s comment … [Read more...] about 5 Principles for Biblical Decision Making

Love Letters from God

Woman looking up to the sky during sunset

The husbands and wives who committed themselves to founding the fledgling republic that became the United States of America sacrificed dearly for their cause— particularly the leaders of the first Continental Congress. John Adams, for one, endured long months of separation from his wife and children. Massachusetts was their home, but the demands of statehood kept him in … [Read more...] about Love Letters from God

How to Change Your Life From the Inside Out

Text phrase on designed, light copper, background

There's more to revolutions than meets the eye. Journalist Barbara von der Heydt, a television correspondent in Germany in 1991, reported on the peaceful revolution that undermined the Soviet Union. As she interviewed people throughout Russia and Eastern Europe, she came to a startling conclusion. The most overlooked part of the story, she realized, was the nature of the … [Read more...] about How to Change Your Life From the Inside Out

4 Steps to Spiritual Awakening From Revelation

Looking out on a window with the word faith in big letters

Relying on past success is a recipe for destruction—just ask the city of Sardis. Strategically located on the banks of the gold-laden Pactolus River, Sardis was once the prosperous capital of Lydia’s empire. At its peak, history suggests Sardis’s king Croesus financed construction of the Temple of Artemis—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Croesus’s father, … [Read more...] about 4 Steps to Spiritual Awakening From Revelation

4 Lessons From the Philadelphia Church in Revelation

4 Lessons From the Philadelphia Church in Revelation

Modern church life is quite different from life in the early Church, but today’s believers have much to learn from the faithfulness of the church in Philadelphia. Christ praised the believers for four principles that we often lose sight of among the practices and programs of modern church culture. Although Christ addressed Revelation 3:7-13 to the church … [Read more...] about 4 Lessons From the Philadelphia Church in Revelation

3 Ways to Read Your Bible

Open Bible with yellow highlighted verses

The American philosopher Mortimer Adler (d. 2001) wrote and edited scores of books, including the 60-volume Great Books of the Western World series. So no one questioned his qualifications when he wrote one of his most popular volumes, How to Read a Book—a guide to getting the most out of any book. If it helps to have a plan for reading books written by human authors, how … [Read more...] about 3 Ways to Read Your Bible

"God Loves You" Download this Free Coloring Sheet

Color swatch with coloring pages text

No subject has occupied the minds and pens of poets, authors, songwriters, and novelists more than the subject of love. But our culture is confused about the nature of true love—and Christians also oftentimes confuse the true nature of God’s love. The Bible states that God is love (1 John 4:8; 1 John 4:16). Not only that but love is mentioned in the Bible about five hundred … [Read more...] about "God Loves You" Download this Free Coloring Sheet

Bible Verses About the Assurance of Eternal Life

A cross with bright lights behind it

Have you ever doubted your salvation? Perhaps your bad habits have caused you to wonder if God will change His mind about you. Or maybe you’ve made one life-changing mistake, and it seems there could be no way to get right with God. The good news is that eternal life is a gift we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. Our assurance of salvation does not depend on who we are or … [Read more...] about Bible Verses About the Assurance of Eternal Life

4 Answers to Your Questions About Salvation

Crosses on a hill with a sunrise

Can a saved person ever be lost? Can you lose your salvation after you’ve become a Christian? No. But you can lose the joy of it, can't you? You can lose the productiveness of it. If you aren't living for the Lord, your salvation is "like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames" (1 Corinthians 3:15 NLT). Who would want to do that? Let's go on. Let's be the people … [Read more...] about 4 Answers to Your Questions About Salvation

Practical Encouragement for Proclaiming God’s Word

Hands holding and open Bible

Minnesota is famously known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and the staggering beauty of Minnesota’s vast northern terrain thrills visitors. But all that beauty comes with danger. Reverend S. B. Shaw tells of a farmer who lived on the edge of one of those lakes. One evening after sunset he was on the water when a sudden gust capsized his sailboat. The man tried to swim for shore; … [Read more...] about Practical Encouragement for Proclaiming God’s Word

Why Your Circumstances Don’t Define Your Spiritual Growth

Purple blooming flower

What advice would you give these people? SITUATION 1: In World War II, a patrol of Soviet soldiers captures a German woman who was foraging for food for her three children. Her husband is already in a POW camp in England, and she is taken to a POW camp in Russia. When her husband returns to Germany, he locates their children but is unable to find his wife. The wife, interred … [Read more...] about Why Your Circumstances Don’t Define Your Spiritual Growth

The Surprising Secret to Genuine Joy

Family holding hands running at the beach

If you like “The Amazing Race” or “Survivor,” you might be interested to know that so-called reality TV had its beginnings in old black-and-white programs like “Candid Camera.” These were unscripted shows with hidden cameras and microphones designed to show people reacting to practical jokes. One episode showed a new secretary at a desk with drawers that kept popping open. … [Read more...] about The Surprising Secret to Genuine Joy

The Difference Between Righteous and Sinful Anger

Man blowing steam from his ears

On March 16, 2012 (I’m withholding names and places to protect the already embarrassed and guilty parties!), a boyfriend (age 24) and girlfriend (17) sped out of the downtown area where they lived. They were in separate cars, driving at a high rate of speed, and weaving in and out of traffic—obviously chasing, or trying to elude, one another. The young woman had a male … [Read more...] about The Difference Between Righteous and Sinful Anger

Finding Faults: How to Avoid Spiritual Earthquakes

An earthquake seismograph pendulum

Let’s do a little geology to get started: The surface of the earth is made of giant plates (the Pacific Plate, the North American Plate, the South American Plate, the African, Arabian, Eurasian, Indian Plates—and so on). These plates that form the earth’s crust sit atop the mantle, which is semi-molten—a thick liquid, if you will. Hard plates, sitting atop a molten foundation, … [Read more...] about Finding Faults: How to Avoid Spiritual Earthquakes

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Dr. David Jeremiah is one of America’s most trusted Bible teachers. For more than 40 years he has helped millions deepen their understanding of the Bible through 4,552 daily Turning Point Radio releases and a daily Turning Point Television program that reaches millions of people globally.
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  • Bible Reading Plan for 2023

About Dr. David Jeremiah

Dr. David Jeremiah is one of America’s most trusted Bible teachers. For more than 39 years he has helped millions deepen their understanding of the Bible through 4,552 daily Turning Point Radio releases and a daily Turning Point Television program that reaches millions of people globally.
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Creation Care

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:28

Marine litter is a huge ecological problem. Many countries’ coastlines are littered with plastic and debris, and there is an “island” of plastic more than the twice the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean where currents have accumulated the debris. Fish become entangled in discarded fishing nets and lines, with bellies full of plastic debris they have swallowed.

Such images are in stark contrast to the pristine beauty and glory of Eden as presented in Genesis. Though mankind was given the mandate to “have dominion over” (that is, to care for) all of creation, we have not done a good job. When God’s mandates go unfulfilled on earth, God’s glory is diminished. And that mandate extends to our personal life as well. Paul writes that we belong to God and we are to glorify Him with our care and use of our body.

When you see opportunities to care for creation—nature or your own body—do so as a way of glorifying the Creator.

The creation is both a monument of God’s power, and a looking-glass in which we may see his wisdom.
Thomas Watson

Steadfast

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58

Paul’s letter to the people at Corinth was an exhortation to remain steadfast. The church in Corinth was an undisciplined church, and he was letting them know that even though the culture around them was in flux, their faith in Jesus Christ needed to remain focused and sure. It is true for us today also. How can we remain steadfast in our faith and avoid the pressures of this ever-changing world? By devoting time each day to the study of God’s Word.

As we read the Bible and immerse ourselves in God’s truth and character, our lives are changed—we become more like Him. God’s Word is a powerful litmus test for our souls and actions. As our lives center on God, giving priority to hearing His voice and reading His Word, we become bolder in sharing our faith.

Joshua had the confidence and courage to lead God’s people into the Promised Land because He believed in God’s promise and presence. We serve the same God who said: “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

You can place your steadfast trust in Him.

When we find a man meditating on the words of God, my friends, that man is full of boldness and is successful.
Dwight L. Moody

Ready and Willing

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9

A leper approached Jesus and said, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus touched the man, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed”—and he was healed (Mark 1:40-42).

That event is a beautiful example of the willingness of God. In fact, there are no instances of Jesus being asked to help or heal and Him answering, “I am not willing.” There is a place where the Bible says God is “not willing,” and that is 2 Peter 3:9. In writing about the timing of the Day of the Lord (the end of the age), Peter says God is waiting for all who will be saved to come to Him. He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Said another way, God is willing for any who want to be saved to come to Him (John 6:37; 7:37). The question is never whether God is willing but whether man is willing.

Have you responded to God’s willing invitation to come to Him?

God is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved.
J. C. Ryle

Treasure!

I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure.
Psalm 119:162

Earlier this year, a volunteer for a charity in Arizona was going through books donated for a sale. One was an old copy of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The volunteer decided the dilapidated volume wasn’t worth saving and was about to throw it away when she thumbed through it and found a hidden chamber. Someone had used a knife to cut a hole in the middle of the book. Inside was $4,000!

That’s nothing compared to the treasure you’ll find when opening the covers of the Bible. Perhaps it would help to think of it in those terms. Use your imagination to see every word of Scripture turning to gold as you read it. Think of every promise as a precious stone. See the words about Jesus in the Gospels as sparkling like diamonds. Visualize your daily Bible study time like a miser running his hands through a chest of gold.

The treasury of Scripture will enrich your mind, refocus your goals, replace your doubts, and redirect your path—but only if you read it and heed it. Start today!

To get the best use out of [the Bible] for daily life,...Give it the best and freshest, not the most tired and dull, hour of the day.
M. S. Kimber in The Sunday School World, 1893

Hello Heaven!

I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside.
2 Peter 1:13-14, NIV

Peter wrote his final letter shortly before his execution. He wasn’t discouraged; he was looking forward to the future. He spoke of “looking forward to these things.” and “[looking] for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13-14).

Life is full of hardships and heaviness. We have the promises of God to help us in difficult days, and we have the Holy Spirit within us. We have a purpose for being here—to refresh the memory of others regarding the things of the Lord. But we’ll soon put aside the tent of our earthly body, and what a relief! Goodbye hardship and heaviness. Goodbye trials and troubles. Hello Jesus! Hello heaven! Hello golden streets, glorified bodies, endless days, and the fresh air of New Jerusalem!

During difficult times, the hope of eternity gives us strength. If you’re prone to worry yourself to sleep each night, turn your thoughts upward and close your eyes thinking of heaven and its eternal throne.

A tent or a cottage, why should I care? They’re building a palace for me over there.
Harriet Buell, in her hymn “A Child of the King”

Overcoming Temptation

Temptation. Whether we realize it or not, it is part of our past, and it will be part of our future. The moment we resolve to stand strong and walk away is when temptation grows most intense. That is why Scripture is of paramount importance. God's Word contains the answer to resisting temptation before it's too late. Consider these verses:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full–grown, brings forth death (James 1:13–15).

Some people wonder about the value of the Old Testament in a Christian's life. The apostle Paul addressed that question in 1 Corinthians 10:11—"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition." To what things was Paul referring? He listed them in verses 7–10. They are idolatry, immorality, infidelity, and disloyalty.

Temptation is not sin; yielding to temptation is.

With that background, Paul exhorted believers not to make the same choices the Israelites made—not to provoke God's discipline by willfully sinning. None of us is above God's discipline if we engage in sin. We must look for and take "the way of escape" God provides in every situation where temptation is found (verse 13). To think our temptation is unique is to believe a lie. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man" (verse 13). There are no "new" temptations in life.

The apostle James argued that if temptation becomes serious, it is because we have allowed it to do so. Our own "desires" entice us away from God and desire "gives birth to sin" (James 1:13–15). God doesn't tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices.

Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, and He took the same means of escape that is available to us—obedience to God's Word (Matthew 4:1–11; Hebrews 5:8). Temptation is not sin; yielding to temptation is. There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it.

Victory in Him

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

To first-century leaders in the Roman world, the imagery was familiar: A victorious Roman general returning from battle leading his soldiers and their captives into the city. Citizens lined the streets applauding while the aroma of celebratory incense filled the air. Paul uses that image to say that Christ leads His followers in a victory procession through every difficulty in life (2 Corinthians 2:14-15).

The Christian’s victory is through Christ. The victory over the world, the flesh, the devil, and sin was won by the Cross and the empty tomb. He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. We have victory now and for eternity only because of the victory Christ won for us. Therefore, if we are to experience victory in this life, it will come only as we depend on Him. As Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, the life we now live is the life of Christ in us as we keep our faith in Him.

If you need a victory in your life, begin every day by renewing your faith in Christ in whom all our victories are to be realized.

The spiritual battle, the loss of victory, is always in the thought-world.
Francis Schaeffer

Faithful Fathers: Abraham

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
James 2:23

We can imagine a child writing an appreciative and sentimental memoir about her “perfect father,” understanding that “perfect” was not intended to be taken literally. But how about a book titled The Righteous Father? The patriarch Isaac could have written that book about his father, Abraham.

Righteous doesn’t mean sinless, of course. We know that Abraham wasn’t perfect. But he did manifest some qualities that every father should emulate. First, he believed the promises of God about the future God had planned for him (Hebrews 11:8-12). And when he believed God, “[God] accounted it to [Abraham] for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Again, not perfect or sinless, but in a right standing with God. Second, as a result of Abraham’s trust in God, he became a “friend of God” (Isaiah 41:8). Could any father set a more worthy example to his children or grandchildren than that of being friends with God? Living in right standing with God? That means communing with Him, walking with Him, living for Him, and above all, trusting Him and His promises.

Follow Abraham’s example as a faithful father by deepening your friendship with God.

Friendship is the marriage of affections.
Thomas Watson

Modern Idolatry

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:5

Colossians 3:1 tells us to “seek those things which are above, where Christ is.” In verse 5 we’re told to put to death the passions that come from below—"fornication, uncleanness, passion, and evil desire.” Then the Lord added the sin of greed or covetousness to the list, calling it idolatry.

That verse changes our view of idolatry. It’s not just bowing down to a small carved statue or a pagan worshiper offering incense at a shrine to Buddha. It’s the act of becoming too attached to the material things of the world—falling more in love with the things on earth than on things in heaven.

This has nothing to do with how much money you do or don’t have—a poverty-stricken person can covet just as much as a billionaire. It has everything to do with what’s at the center of our affections. Is it Christ? Is it things above? Or is it things below?

Make sure Christ is at the center of your life and that your love for Him eclipses everything else!

You don’t have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. America is full of them…. Whatever you love more than God is your idol.
D. L. Moody

New Beginnings: Ezekiel

In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.
Ezekiel 1:1, NIV

We often need fresh starts after enduring bitter disappointments. As a young man, Ezekiel had dedicated himself to be a priest. He was from a priestly family, and he undoubtedly looked forward to serving God in Jerusalem’s temple. Priests began their temple duty at the age of thirty. But when he was about twenty-five, Ezekiel was seized and taken to Babylon, and he never saw the temple again. When his thirtieth birthday came, he must have struggled with questions of “why” and “if only.”

That’s just when God appeared to him as he was among the exiles by the Kebar River. Ezekiel looked up and saw remarkable visions of God—the throne of God surrounded by angelic beings. Amid the strange and apocalyptic vision described in Ezekiel 1, God called the thirty-year-old exile to be a powerful prophet.

Oh, to see the glory of the Lord while in the midst of the disappointments in life. When we think life has collapsed around us, the God of glory appears above us. God always has a plan, and our false starts become His fresh starts.

Ezekiel is the prophet of the glory of the Lord…. Ezekiel looked beyond the sufferings of Christ to the glory that should follow.
J. Vernon McGee

The Conspicuous Hand

The Lord your God cares.
Deuteronomy 11:12

In a letter to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, George Washington marveled at how God’s hand had protected him and given success to the cause of liberty: “The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and… has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”

In the middle of life’s battles, we’re tempted to question God’s ordering of our circumstances, but every follower of Christ can look back and see the conspicuous hand of God’s Providence. He is committed to caring for us, watching over us, and giving us strength when we are within His will.

Moses reminded the Israelites that God was taking them into a land of hills and valleys, of water and streams, “a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year” (Deuteronomy 11:11-12).

That’s the way He cares for us too—every day, all year long, always.

[The Lord] loves, and cares, and sympathizes, and understands, and seeks, and saves, and forgives, and helps, and encourages, and walks by our side… taking care of us in life when we can’t take care of ourselves.
W. A. Criswell

God of Second Chances

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.”
Jonah 3:1-2

It was not uncommon in the Old Testament for “the word of the Lord” to come to God’s prophets again and again. It happened to Samuel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, and others. And it also happened to Jonah: The word of the Lord came to Jonah the first time (Jonah 1:1) and then the second time (Jonah 3:1). With the other prophets, the “second time” meant additional prophetic utterances they were to deliver. But with Jonah, the “second time” was because Jonah had failed to speak God’s word the first time. Jonah was a disobedient prophet.

God commissioned Jonah to go east to Assyria, to the capital of Nineveh and deliver a message of judgment. But Jonah fled west toward Spain because he feared the Assyrians. You know the story—Jonah ended up in the sea where he was swallowed by a great fish. Jonah repented and called on the Lord and was delivered. God gave him a second chance.

Don’t let your past keep you from trusting God for a second (or third, or fourth) chance. The God of grace loves to forgive.

Forgiveness is to be set loose from sins.
G. Campbell Morgan

All You Need Is Love: Forgiveness

When Jesus saw [the friends’] faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
Mark 2:5

The hardest part of forgiving another person is acting like the offense never occurred. But that is what forgiving someone means—restoring relationships to the status they enjoyed before the offense took place. It’s one thing to say, “I forgive you,” but it’s another to act like all the effects of an offense are completely erased. After all, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, love is known by its actions more than its words.

Jesus faced this dilemma when He healed a paralytic man. When He told the man that his sins were forgiven (and by extension, he was healed), He was criticized. He was accused of blaspheming by saying He had the authority to forgive sins—something only God can do. So, Jesus proved He had the authority to say, “I forgive you,” by doing something harder. He healed the man’s paralysis. After all, as Jesus explained, actions speak louder than words (Mark 2:8-11).

We cannot go through life without being hurt by others, so we should learn to forgive. Even more, we should practice demonstrating our forgiveness by our acts of lovingkindness. Look for opportunities to do both.

Forgiveness is to be set loose from sins.
G. Campbell Morgan

A Whole Person

In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility.
Titus 2:7

In mathematics two of the basic kinds of numbers are integers and fractions: 2, 100, and 56 are integers, while ½, ¼, and 2.5 are fractions. Integers, from a Latin root meaning “whole” or “entire.” The word integrity comes from the same root; a person with integrity cannot be divided in beliefs or morality based on varying circumstances.

When the apostle Paul wrote to his young pastoral protégé, Timothy, he told him to show “integrity” in doctrine, to be incorruptible in belief and in actions. Paul wanted Timothy to hold fast to the truth of God, not allowing himself to be divided. A person of integrity obeys the whole counsel of God every day, in every circumstance. Daniel’s three friends in Babylon demonstrated integrity when they were threatened with being burned alive (Daniel 3:16-18). They told the king they would not divide their allegiance, that they would maintain their faith in God and His promises. That is integrity.

Are you a whole person or a fractioned person today? If your beliefs, and therefore your actions, have become divided, gather them back together as you commit to God and His Word.

Integrity of heart is indispensable.
John Calvin

New Earth

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
Revelation 21:1

A great misconception carried by many Christians has to do with the location of heaven. The word heaven itself implies that our eternal destiny is somewhere “up there” in the heavens. But the Bible says our eternal destiny is earthly, not heavenly. As Peter wrote, we look for a “new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

In his vision of the future, the apostle John saw that “new heaven and a new earth,” our new domain being pictured as the New Jerusalem “coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:1-2). Somehow, at the end of the age, when Christ has returned to reign and inaugurate the eternal state, this earth will be renovated and a new earth will be the result—a new earth full of righteousness in which pain and sorrow will be absent. The beautiful imagery of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 lets us know that the new earth will be a place that reflects the glory of God throughout.

Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for you if you belong to Him (John 14:1-4). The New Jerusalem, on the new earth, is that place.

Let thy hope of heaven master thy fear of death.
William Gurnall

The Conspicuous Hand

The Lord your God cares.
Deuteronomy 11:12

In a letter to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, George Washington marveled at how God’s hand had protected him and given success to the cause of liberty: “The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and… has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”

In the middle of life’s battles, we’re tempted to question God’s ordering of our circumstances, but every follower of Christ can look back and see the conspicuous hand of God’s Providence. He is committed to caring for us, watching over us, and giving us strength when we are within His will.

Moses reminded the Israelites that God was taking them into a land of hills and valleys, of water and streams, “a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year” (Deuteronomy 11:11-12).

That’s the way He cares for us too—every day, all year long, always.

[The Lord] loves, and cares, and sympathizes, and understands, and seeks, and saves, and forgives, and helps, and encourages, and walks by our side… taking care of us in life when we can’t take care of ourselves.
W. A. Criswell

The Need for Prayer

Now it came to pass in those days that [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Luke 6:12

Officially, church historians recognize seven ecumenical church councils held between A.D. 325 and A.D. 787. The first, the First Council of Nicaea, met to agree on the nature of Jesus of Nazareth as both Son of God and Son of Man, as both fully divine and fully human.

The humanity of Christ, while at the same time divine, is hard to understand. But thankfully, Scripture gives us illustrations: Like us, Jesus suffered, experienced hunger, required sleep, ate food, and had limits on His knowledge (Mark 13:32). One of the most striking and helpful illustrations of Jesus’ humanity was His prayer life. We might think that, if Jesus was truly divine, He would have had no need to pray for knowledge, guidance, or help. Yet He did, following the example of godly men like Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:16-18). Jesus repeatedly said that He only did what the Father showed Him to do (John 5:19), and prayer was His means.

If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to go to His Father in prayer for strengthening and guidance, how much more do we (Psalm 32:6)?

Prayer and a holy life are one.
E. M. Bounds

What Is Humility?

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:5, NIV

What is humility? Is it the opposite of pride? If pride expands one’s importance, does humility deflate one’s importance? That’s the view given by most English dictionaries—a deemphasis on one’s own importance. But what is the biblical view of humility

If someone compliments you on a job well done, do you refuse to take credit or receive their compliment? Or do you graciously say, “Thank you,” in a spirit of genuine appreciation and humility? In Romans 12:3 Paul exhorts the believers not to think of themselves pridefully but rather to think of themselves “soberly”—that is, realistically or accurately. Paul’s topic is the grace given by God to each Christian to serve in the Body of Christ. We should neither overestimate the gift of God’s grace or underestimate it. Rather, we should think of it soberly and realistically—humbly—and minister accordingly. To think less of God’s gift would be to devalue it; to think realistically about it allows one to serve humbly.

How do you view yourself? With pride? With false humility? Or soberly and realistically according to the grace of God in your life?

A really humble man…will not be thinking about humility, he will not be thinking about himself at all.
C. S. Lewis

The Power of Confession

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer.
Psalm 32:4

California is a dry state that needs water to be transported over many miles to population and agricultural centers. Snowfall in the winter and melting snow in the spring are critical factors in replenishing shrinking reservoirs. In periods of modern droughts, aerial photographs document the receding water levels in reservoirs around the state—shorelines growing wider and drier as water levels fall.

Such is the picture David paints with his words in Psalm 32—a drought of spiritual vitality brought on by his own sin. When he failed to confess his sin to God, his “bones grew old” and he groaned “all the day long” (verse 3). It was like his soul was being evaporated by the heat of his own guilt and shame. But then the rains of grace came and David confessed his sin and God forgave him (verse 5). And he encouraged his readers not to make the same mistake he had made (verses 9-10).

Confession and repentance reveal the access to restoration. Hiding sin does not remove it from God’s sight; but when we seek God’s forgiveness, the refreshing living water from the Father is poured out on us and we are restored—that is the power of confession.

The way to cover our sin is to uncover it by confession.
Richard Sibbes