Daily Devotions for October 2022
316Judith
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Correction: Devotions for this month are coming Saturday Morning.
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OCTOBER Weekend Edition: 2022
Life…in the Words of Jesus: Follow Me
Then [Jesus] said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19
Modern anglers use different ways to catch fish: cane poles, fly rods, spin casting, trotlines, and more. They all have one thing in common: catching one fish at a time. These were not the methods used by the fishermen Jesus called to follow Him. They used nets to catch many fish at one time.
Jesus used their vocation to illustrate what He was calling them to do: become fishers of men (Matthew 4:18-22).
Yes, conversions to Christ are made one person at a time. But Peter used his “net fishing” method at Pentecost to “catch” three thousand souls at one time (Acts 2:41).
He proclaimed new life in Jesus, the Messiah, to a massive audience and saw thousands respond and enter the Kingdom of God.
When we choose to follow someone, we adopt the leader’s goals and values.
When the fishermen laid down their nets and followed Jesus, they embraced His mission of sharing God’s love with an entire world.
Their focus shifted from temporal to eternal priorities.
If we choose to follow Christ, we are choosing His goals and values. And that means becoming soul winners—“fishers of men”—just as He was.
All true evangelism is theology in action.
J. I. Packer
Recommended Reading: Matthew 16:24
Turning Points Devotion:
Weekend Edition- David Jeremiah0 -
Wednesday, October 5
The Gold Standard
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
In our modern world, two words have become increasingly prominent in our cultural conversation: disinformation and misinformation, with only a shade of difference between the two.
They both share a common element: deviating from the truth. Since social media has allowed every individual to have a public and potentially influential voice, discerning what is true and what isn’t has become increasingly challenging.
Sometimes even the most well-intentioned err when it comes to truth. Anglican scholar
N. T. Wright, author of scores of books on the Bible and theology, has humorously said, “I’m sure about 25 percent of what I say is wrong. I just don’t know which 25 percent!”
When we search for the truth, we must pursue an upward trajectory that ends with Jesus Christ and His Word.
We begin with rumor and hearsay, progress to trusted sources and authorities, and measure it all against the One who said, “I am... the truth.”
In your own pursuit of truth, make sure to measure everything against the gold standard for truth: Christ and His Word.
The Word of God is perfect; it is precious and
pure; it is truth itself. Martin Luther
Recommended Reading: Psalm 119: 160
Devotion by Turning Point- David Jeremiah1 -
Friday, October 7, 2022
. Alone
John 1:11 “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”
When I grieved the loss of a dream for my life, I mourned the loss of the community that naturally would have come with it. I lamented all the relationships and seasons of life that I believed would have been mine. Does this sound familiar to you?
The comfort of our suffering Savior is very real to us in these situations. In the first chapter of John, we get the famous verse telling us that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (v. 14). But we also read that Christ came to His own, and they did not receive Him. He understood loneliness.
Jesus came to live with us, only to be rejected by the community that He was a part of. When Christ came, He knew rejection was ahead. Yet He still condescended, bringing us in from the darkness and to a community that will never end.
The only continuous presence we are guaranteed is Christ. He is the only surety against the weight of loneliness we bear. All other relationships on this earth will end.
But thanks to the work of Christ, those who believe in Him will be united in heaven one day.
A special Devotion from Haven of Rest Ministries- with Charles Morris, Hope you enjoyed,
Weekend Edition with Turning Points returns on Saturday0 -
Wednesday, October 12
Keep Hope Alive
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:7
The record of Jeremiah’s prophetic utterances makes up the longest book in the Bible. The ancient Near East—from Egypt to Mesopotamia—was in a constant state of flux, turmoil, and war during Jeremiah’s life.
And that included life in Judah where Jeremiah saw five kings come and go during his ministry.
In many ways, Jeremiah was witness to a level of threat and change very much like what we witness today. Modern nations are threatening, and sometimes attacking, one another.
People in many nations and societies live in fear of political and economic instability. And the masses are looking for someone to trust.
That’s why Jeremiah wrote, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.” That didn't mean that war and turmoil would stop the moment people started trusting.
Jerusalem was conquered and people—even godly people like Daniel—were carried into captivity in Babylon. But trusting in the Lord dispelled fear of the future.
Trust in the Lord has the same effect today for those who hope in Him. Don’t let the world’s instability cause you to lose hope. Keep hope alive through faith in God.
Where there is no hope, there is no faith.
William Gouge
Recommended Reading:
Psalm 146: 3 – 6
Devotions by Turning Points- David Jeremiah1 -
Thursday, October 13
“So Despised by the World”
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you… but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 4:12-13
According to The Voice of the Martyrs, a group of Christians in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, planned an open baptism celebration, expecting members of their community to try to prevent the gathering.
But praise the Lord! Many new believers were baptized, and on that day, at least, there was no sign of community opposition.
Are you afraid of the reaction you’ll get when you mention Christ or articulate a biblical worldview?
Keep your eyes on Christ, not on the critics.
When we focus on eternity, we’ll realize that temporary suffering has a way of revealing God’s glory. There’s joy in serving the Lord!
Let’s go back to the cross of Christ. Jesus lived with little and died in poverty. But He was buried in a rich man’s tomb, rose in glory, and ascended to guide His children in taking the Gospel to the ends of the world. This is no time to be silenced.
It’s time to speak, to share, and to shine!
I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown. George Bennard
Recommended Reading:
Mark 8: 34 – 38
Devotion by Turning Point- David Jeremiah
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Friday, October 14
Confident in Christ
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Timothy 1:12
On December 3, 1990, thirteen-year-old Rashin Soodmand’s life changed. It was the day her father was executed by the Iranian government for his faith in Christ.
He was imprisoned multiple times, suffering from physical and psychological torture in the process. Yet he never stopped holding church services in their basement.
According to Rashin, her father once said, “I am ready to go to prison again and, if necessary, to
give my life.”
Although Rashin mourned for her earthly father, she was greatly comforted by her Heavenly Father. She recommitted to following Christ, attended Bible school in England, and traveled around Europe with her husband to spread the Gospel. Today she counsels women who have left Islam.
As Christians, we will all experience some form of persecution. But when hardships come, do not lose faith; place all your confidence in Christ.
When you are suffering most [God’s] eyes are on you and he cares deeply about you. Randy
Alcorn
Recommended Reading: 2 Timothy 1: 8-12
Devotion by Turning Points- David Jeremiah0 -
Life…in the Words of Jesus: Let Your Light Shine
OCTOBER 15, 2022
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Walk into a dark room in the middle of the night, and flip on a light switch. What happens? The darkness “flees.” Darkness is not a “thing.” Darkness is the natural state that exists in the absence of light.
The science of light was relatively unknown in the first century, but the practical aspects of light were definitely known.
Just as light dispels darkness in the physical realm, so spiritual light dispels spiritual darkness.
John 1:3-9 describes Jesus bringing light into the world; He later called Himself “the light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5).
In preparation for leaving the earth, Jesus also declared His disciples to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
And He told them to let their light shine by virtue of their good works so others would recognize the light and life of God and glorify Him.
In an ever-darkening world, let your light shine brightly, pointing others to the Savior, the Light of the world!
The light of a holy example is the gospel’s main argument. R. L. Dabney
Recommended Reading: 1 Peter 2:12
Devotion by Turning Points- David Jeremiah0 -
Life…in the Words of Jesus: Let Your Light Shine
OCTOBER 15, 2022
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Walk into a dark room in the middle of the night, and flip on a light switch. What happens?
The darkness “flees.” Darkness is not a “thing.”
Darkness is the natural state that exists in the absence of light.
The science of light was relatively unknown in the first century, but the practical aspects of light were definitely known. Just as light dispels darkness in the physical realm, so spiritual light dispels spiritual darkness.
John 1:3-9 describes Jesus bringing light into the world; He later called Himself “the light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5).
In preparation for leaving the earth, Jesus also declared His disciples to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
And He told them to let their light shine by virtue of their good works so others would recognize the light and life of God and glorify Him.
In an ever-darkening world, let your light shine brightly, pointing others to the Savior, the Light of the world!
The light of a holy example is the gospel’s main argument.
R. L. Dabney
Recommended Reading: 1 Peter 2:12
Devotions by Turning Point- David Jeremiah0 -
Monday, October 17
Promises, Promises!
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9
When we look back over our lives, some of our greatest regrets involve moments when we broke a promise to someone. In some cases, we made promises that we simply were not able to keep.
On other occasions, we found it was convenient to make the promise in the moment, but we hadn’t really thought through the implications.
Sometimes we just shrug off our unreliability as par for the course. But sometimes we’re haunted by our fickleness and failure, especially if we disappointed someone.
As we grow in Christ, we understand the sanctity of promises, for the Bible is full of them, and we rely on each one. We also become more Christlike, growing to be faithful as He is faithful.
Many people in today’s world are undependable.
They don’t honor their word, whether it involves their workplace, their relationships, or their marriage.
Let’s do better than that. And let’s remember that God is faithful, and we can count on every word in His Book!
I know of nothing which so stimulates my faith in my heavenly Father as to look back and reflect on
His faithfulness to me in every crisis and every
chilling circumstance of life W. Phillip Keller
Recommended Reading:
Hebrews 10: 19 – 25
Devotion by Turning Points- David Jeremiah0 -
Thursday, October 20
The Love of Christ
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35
Do you know how to share the Good News of Christ? According to a Lifeway Research survey, 66 percent of Christians “are not familiar with any ‘methods for telling others about Jesus.’”
Additionally, 70 percent of the Christians interviewed “have not shared with a stranger how to become a Christian in the past six months.”
John Sorensen, president of Evangelism Explosion, said, “Now, perhaps more than ever, people are open to conversations about faith, yet this study reveals few Christians actually take the opportunity to engage in personal evangelism.”
Finding the right words to say to share the Gospel may be intimidating. But when Christians demonstrate Christ’s love to each other, the unsaved recognize a difference in us. It is through our actions that people see Christ in us.
Today, commit an act of love toward someone and shine a light on the love of Jesus.
Jesus gives the world the right to judge whether you and I are born-again Christians on the basis of our observable love toward all Christians.
Francis Schaeffer
Recommended Reading:
1 Corinthians 13
Devotions by Turning Point- David Jeremiah0 -
Friday, October 21
Don’t Drag Your Feet
How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace. Romans 10:15
Walter Wilson, a physician, was noted for his soul winning, which he wrote about. On one occasion, he said, “Our Lord describes beautiful feet if they have the proper shoes.
In Song of Solomon 7:1 we read, ‘How beautiful are thy feet with shoes.’ No one seems to be proud of the feet.
Advertisements describe beautiful eyes and attractive teeth, but whoever read of beautiful feet.
Our Lord has provided for beautiful feet by saying, ‘Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
The beautifully shod feet of our Lord’s disciples are careful to avoid the mud puddles of temptation and compromise. There are a lot of muddy spots in this world. The news today is filled with turmoil.
We seldom hear good news from the world stage.
But when we share the Gospel with others, we bring them Good News that not only changes their lives today, it secures their heavenly destination as well.
Let your feet be as beautiful as your smile as you take the Good News to others!
Join the Society of Beautiful Feet. Have your feet always shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. Always be prepared to give an answer for the reason of the hope that is within you. Ray Comfort
Recommended Reading:
Romans 10: 14 – 15
Devotions by Turning Point- David Jeremiah0 -
Tuesday, October 25
Dangling Danger
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12
Dr. Jacob Chamberlain, a missionary physician in India, was tired. He lay down in a borrowed shelter, took up his Greek New Testament, and began reading a chapter, holding the book above his face as he rested. Eventually he put the book down and looked up.
Above him a huge snake that was coiled on one of the rafters was letting itself down, tongue flicking, about to strike.
Dr. Chamberlain, in his studies of anatomy, sometimes wondered whether a person lying on his back could jump sideways. He discovered it could be done
Walking through this life is not for the faint of heart. There are pitfalls and challenges around our paths, and that old serpent, the devil, dangles over our heads.
But those who walk with Christ are called as good soldiers to remain firm and to endure. Our ultimate prize is to reign with Him. Jesus brings endurance in a world of despair—and He can even help us jump sideways when necessary! Take opposition in stride and keep your eyes on Christ.
I had surveyed the danger, measured the obstacles, and counted the cost, and consider[ed] none of them sufficient to cancel the command,
“Go ye into all the world.” Jacob Chamberlain
Recommended Reading:
2 Timothy 3: 10 – 15
Devotions by Turning Points- David Jeremiah0 -
Wednesday, October 26
Running Tips
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
Outside magazine ran an article on the best running tips of all time, based on forty years of articles.
Among the suggestions:
(1) Strengthen your whole body; don’t just focus on your legs.
(2) Run more hills; it’s good for your hips.
(3) Find a routine, then stick to it—maybe even down to wearing the same clothing.
(4) Take recovery days seriously.
All those suggestions are true spiritually. In running the race, we need to train ourselves—body, soul, and spirit.
Don’t be afraid of the hill ahead.
Establish your spiritual routines and stick with them. And learn to rest and recover in Jesus.
Our walk with God is like a race, which we must be prepared to run and to be aware of any challenges that may interfere with our success.
A race that is run well has great rewards.
We will see Christ one day, so don’t despair about today. Look with faith toward the finish line.
Remember God has our future in His secure hands.
We run for Him—for Christ’s glory and for the honor of His name. We run for the advancement
of His kingdom. Joseph M. Stowell
Recommended Reading:
2 Timothy 4: 6 – 8
Devotions by Turning Points- David Jeremiah0 -
Thursday, October 27
The Wobbly Bridge
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. Romans 4:20
When London’s Millennium Bridge opened in 2000, it became known as the Wobbly Bridge because it would shake and shimmy for no known reason. After some research, engineers found the cause. When the bridge moved just a tad, people adjusted their weight and stance. When enough people exerted energy trying not to fall, it created a human-caused wobble—a problem that has since been corrected.
Recommended Reading:
Romans 14: 17 – 18
With our world seesawing around us, people everywhere are trying not to collapse.
As Christians, we have a stabilizing factor built into our personalities. We have God’s peace amid uncertainty. Jesus brings stability in an unstable world. We don’t need to waver because we are strengthened by faith in the promises of God.
Just as God kept His promise to Abraham, making him father of many nations—God will keep His promises to you. He is ever present, so don’t be afraid of world events. He is with you every moment of every day. You can be confident in His presence, strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.
We can speak peace to our hearts, because God hath spoken peace to us….O keep that peace, by looking up to Jesus Christ every moment. George Whitefield
Devotions by Turning Point- David Jeremiah0 -
Friday, October 28
Confidence!
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
What gives you confidence? For some people, it’s the right hairstyle or clothing. Other people feel confident because of the premium credit card in their pocket. A few people are blessed with a self-confident attitude, but it sometimes appears as arrogance. Others constantly battle feelings of insecurity.
Recommended Reading:
Psalm 27
The key to confidence is Christ. Proverbs 14:26 says, “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence.” Fearing God means living in awe of the Lord Jesus who represents to us the Father and resides within us by His Holy Spirit.
The Savior who was with us in the beginning is the same God who will be with us until the end.
He is our Alpha and Omega. Everything that happens to us from birth to death is in His hands.
Don’t let the confusion of the world distress you.
We can live in joyful confidence because of Christ.
Stand a bit taller today and go into your agenda confident of His care and keeping.
Lord, Thou knowest what is best, confident in this
I’ll rest, till I dwell with all the blest, and with Thee in heaven. William Ebel
Devotion by Turning Points- David Jeremiah0 -
Saturday October 29
Life…in the Words of Jesus: Love Your Enemy
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44
Recommended Reading: Romans 12:20
The Pharisees in Jesus’ day hated their enemies and taught their followers to do the same. But Jesus corrected that erroneous practice in the Sermon on the Mount.
The Pharisees had taken an Old Testament command to love one’s neighbor (Leviticus 19:18) and added these words: “and hate your enemy” (Matthew 5:43).
The Old Testament does not teach hating one’s enemies. In fact, it teaches just the opposite: being kind to your enemies (Exodus 23:4-5).
So Jesus called out the Pharisees and their rewriting of Leviticus 19:18 and corrected it. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you” (Matthew 5:44). Both Stephen (Acts 7:59-60) and Jesus (Luke 23:34) prayed that God would forgive those who were putting them to death.
Who are our enemies? Anyone with whom we have a strained relationship or from whom we have received unloving words or deeds.
With Christ’s help, you can love your enemies as He loves you.
You never so touch the ocean of God’s love as when you forgive and love your enemies. Corrie ten Boom
Devotion by Turning Points- David Jeremiah0 -
Weekend Devotional:
Sunday October 30, 2022
Guidance: God Is Good!:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Recommended Reading: Proverbs 16:1-9
Think of the progress humanity has made when it comes to guidance. We’ve graduated from navigating by terrestrial signposts to celestial signposts to rough-drawn maps to sophisticated maps to digital maps courtesy of GPS.
Today, with devices that fit in one hand, we can get directions to anywhere we want to go—and a voice to tell us when to turn!
The ease with which we are guided today may make us resent the process of gaining guidance from God about life’s decisions. We want Him to direct our paths—and He will—but the means to that end involves trusting Him, leaning on Him instead of our own understanding, and acknowledging Him in all our ways.
Those are not “click here for directions” instructions, but disciplines we develop over time. God’s guidance is a fruit of our intimacy and faithfulness to Him.
Because God is good, He gives us the gift of His guidance. If you need guidance today, continue to trust Him, lean on Him, and acknowledge Him in all your ways.
God’s promises of guidance are not given to save us the bother of thinking. John R. W. Stott
Devotional by Turning Points: David Jeremiah
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Monday, October 31
They Came Back!
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27-28
Last June, New York’s Governor’s Island invited Sam, Flour, Evening, Chad, and Philip Aries back for a second summer of ministry—munching on unwanted invasive plants.
The five sheep were a hit in 2021, and gardener Malcolm Gore welcomed back the flock with open arms. “It felt like they recognized me, recognized my voice, they came right over.
Recommended Reading:
John 10: 22 – 30
Jesus has assigned us to the island of this world, and He’s our Governor and Shepherd. We recognize Him, know His Voice, and draw near to Him.
He’s placed us here to impede the sinfulness of this world and to follow Him wherever He leads.
All of Psalm 23 is applied to Jesus in John 10, for He leads us in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.
What a blessed thought! We are the sheep of God’s pasture. Those of us who know the Shepherd’s Voice are known by Him—and nothing will separate us from His care.
Every day may be a day of blessing, every hour an hour of victory, but if lived in the thought that Jehovah in his might is your shepherd. J. Wilber Chapman0