Daily Archives: March 20, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Freely Give

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And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

Recommended Reading: Matthew 10:1-15

When Jesus sent His twelve disciples out to minister to the needy in His Name, He gave them power to heal the sick and drive out demons—even raise the dead (Matthew 10:1-15). And He spoke a principle that infuses all the Christian life: “Freely you have received, freely give” (verse 8). In other words, the disciples had no power of their own to restore the afflicted; Jesus gave them power. Since they had freely received power and authority, they were to freely use that power to help others. They were to do what Jesus would have done if He had been there.

The principle of freely receiving and freely giving applies to a challenging part of life—the challenge of forgiveness. The apostle Paul wrote about forgiveness: We are to forgive others in the same way God has forgiven us. Freely we have received forgiveness, so freely we are to give forgiveness. Not to give forgiveness is to imprison ourselves behind the bars of resentment, anger, and vengeance. Why would anyone want to do that?

The only way to live free is to receive God’s forgiveness and then freely give it to others.

Forgiven us is to be set loose from sins.
G. Campbell Morgan

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Beyond the Blues

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In the morning I will sing of your love. Psalm 59:16

Today’s Scripture

Psalm 59:9-17

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot is best known for enduring classics like “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “If You Could Read My Mind.” But one of his lesser-known songs is titled “The Minstrel of the Dawn.” (A minstrel is a troubadour, a singer who puts his poetry to music.) Like us, Lightfoot’s troubadour longs to be “more happy than blue.” Although there are always “blue” things to think about or dwell on, the minstrel chooses to focus on happy things as the new day dawns and then to sing about them.

The minstrel of the psalms, David, penned a similar line: “In the morning I will sing of your love” (Psalm 59:16). David had plenty of “blue” things to dwell on—from enemies ready to attack him to fierce men slandering and conspiring against him (vv. 1-3). “They return at evening,” he sang, “snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city” (v. 14). But he chose, as the new day dawned, to focus not simply on something happy but on someone good—God—and then sing of God’s love, “my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble” (v. 16) on “whom I can rely” (v. 17).

You may not be a singer-songwriter, but you can still be a minstrel of the dawn. Like David, you can tell God, “I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love” (v. 16).

Reflect & Pray

What is it that makes you blue or causes you concern? What would it look like for you to sing of God’s love in the morning?

 

God my fortress and shield, I’m choosing to sing beyond the blues this morning, to sing of Your steadfast love.

 

Today’s Insights

The heading of Psalm 59 notes the occasion for the song: “When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.” Two attempts by Saul to kill David are recorded in 1 Samuel 19 (vv. 8-10 and 11-17). The latter incident was the impetus for Psalm 59. Despite the grave danger that David faced, his faith compelled him to sing. The refrain repeated in verses 9 and 17 reveals that he viewed God as the source of his strength and safety. He proclaims, “You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely” (vv. 9-10). Our view of God makes the difference in how we navigate life in both the good times and the bad. When our understanding of Him lines up with how He’s revealed in Scripture, we can sing in life’s sunshine and rain.

Learn about finding hope in despair by reading Hope: Discovering the One True Source.

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Is AI a tool for the Antichrist?

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The problem with Peter Thiel’s take on the end times

Peter Thiel is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist who made his mark with PayPal, Facebook, and Palantir before becoming one of the largest donors to the Republican Party and an early advocate for President Trump. However, he’s in the news this week for an entirely different reason.

Thiel helped organize an exclusive conference in Rome, where he led four days of discussions on the Antichrist and his view that modern society is hurtling toward an inflection point that could pave the way for the end times. He claims that the Antichrist will use issues like nuclear war, climate change, and—perhaps most importantly—artificial intelligence to promise security in exchange for devotion and lead people to submit willingly to the sort of one-world, totalitarian government depicted in Revelation.

But while the lectures in Rome are not the first time he has taught on this subject (he gave similar talks in San Francisco and Paris), this week’s event has generated far more attention in religious circles. Part of the reason is that the meetings were arranged by Catholic organizations and located on the Vatican’s doorstep, both of which raised the ire of the Pope and others who have condemned Thiel’s message.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Is AI a tool for the Antichrist? →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – God First

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 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 

—Matthew 6:33

Scripture:

Matthew 6:33 

“Roof fell in,” the farmer replied.

“What happened with it? Why did it fall in?” asked the stranger.

“It leaked so long, it just finally rotted through,” the farmer said.

“Why in the world didn’t you fix it before it rotted through?”

“Well, sir,” said the farmer, “I just never got around to it. When the weather was good, there wasn’t a need for it. And when it rained, it was just too wet to work on.”

Isn’t it amazing that when you want to do something, you somehow manage to find the time, no matter how busy you are? But when someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do, suddenly, there is just no room in the schedule.

This can happen when it comes to the Christian life as well. If we are serving God only when it’s convenient, then we’re settling for second best. Not only that, but we’re also keeping God at arm’s length. We’re settling for a less-than-best relationship with Him. If we make time for the things of God only until something better comes along, then we’re missing out on what God wants to do in our lives.

How much better it is to make time for the things of God—to put them above everything else. How much better it is to get your priorities right. Instead of making excuses, make time for the Lord. It’s not only the simple way to live, but it’s also the best way.

Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT). That’s an amazing promise. And it shows just how much God desires a personal relationship with us.

When we drift away from God, it’s because we start to believe that we need certain other things in our lives. Those things may include earthly success, wealth, possessions, hobbies, or habits. So, we pursue them with a passion. We convince ourselves that they will bring us joy, give us a sense of accomplishment or fulfillment, or fill whatever emptiness we have inside us.

And, like the farmer, we neglect the things that truly matter. And, also like the farmer, we run the risk of rot—spiritual rot.

God, in His mercy, says, “If you will prioritize your relationship with Me, if you will close the distance between us by putting Me first, I will help you see what you truly need. I’ll help you remove the rot and strengthen you inside.”

What an amazing offer! And it all begins with a priority shift.

Reflection Question: What would seeking the Kingdom of God above all else look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Price of Sparrows

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” (Matthew 10:29)

This fascinating bit of first-century pricing information, seemingly so trivial, provides a marvelous glimpse into the heart of the Creator. Of all the birds used for food by the people of those days, sparrows were the cheapest on the market, costing only a farthing for a pair of them. In fact, they cost even less in a larger quantity, for on another occasion Jesus said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” (Luke 12:6). The farthing was a tiny copper coin of very small value, so a sparrow was all but worthless in human terms.

And yet the Lord Jesus said that God knows and cares about every single sparrow! God had a reason for everything He created; each kind of animal has its own unique design for its own intended purpose. Modern biologists continue to waste time and talent developing imaginary tales about how all these multitudes of different kinds of creatures might have evolved from some common ancestor. Even some evolutionists have started calling these whimsical tales just-so stories. They would really be better scientists if they sought to understand the creative purpose of each creature rather than speculate on its imaginary evolution.

The better we comprehend the amazing complexity and purposive design of each creature, the better we realize the infinite wisdom and power of their Creator. Then all the more wonderful it is to learn that their Creator is our Father! He has placed them all under our dominion, and we need to learn to see them through His eyes if we would be good stewards of the world He has committed to us. We can also thank our heavenly Father that we “are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31). HMM

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Relax! God Is Working!

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Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

Matthew 11:28 (AMPC)

Being relaxed feels wonderful. Being nervous, tense, and worried are not so wonderful. Why aren’t more people relaxed? Jesus said if we are weary and overburdened, we should go to Him and He will give us rest, relaxation, and ease (Matthew 11:28–29). Jesus wants to teach us the right way to live, which is different from the way most of the world lives.

It would be putting it mildly to say that I was an uptight woman for the first half of my life. I simply did not know how to relax, and it was due to me not being willing to completely trust God. I trusted God for things, but not in things. I kept trying to be the one in control. Even though God was in the driver’s seat of my life, I kept one hand on the wheel just in case He took a wrong turn. Relaxation is impossible without trust!

If you know you can’t fix the problem you have, then why not relax while God is working on it? It sounds easy, but it took many years for me to be able to do this. I know from experience that the ability to relax and go with the flow in life is dependent upon our willingness to trust God completely. If things don’t go your way, instead of being.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me release control and fully trust You today. Teach me to relax, rest in Your care, and follow Your way instead of my own, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – God’s Hand, God’s Nail 

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God has penned a list of our faults.  The list God has made, however, cannot be read.  The words can’t be deciphered.  The mistakes are covered. The sins are hidden. Those at the top are hidden by His hand; those down the list are covered by His blood. Your sins are blotted out by Jesus.

The Bible says, “He has forgiven you all your sins: He has utterly wiped out the written evidence of broken commandments which always hung over our heads, and has completely annulled it by nailing it to the cross” (JB Phillips NT).

He knew the source of those sins was you, and since He couldn’t bear the thought of eternity without you, Jesus Himself chose the nails. The hand is the hand of God. The nail is the nail of God. And as the hands of Jesus opened for the nails, the doors of heaven opened for you!

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Bowls of Wrath

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Read Revelation 16

If people in hell were given a second chance, they’d change their minds, right? Wrong. In The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis, “tourists” from hell are allowed to visit the outskirts of heaven. There, each is met by a friend who tries to convince them to stay, a choice which would require repentance. Nearly all of them reject this opportunity and return to hell.

The hardhearted rebelliousness of sinners is highlighted in Revelation 16, where the final seven bowls of judgment are poured out (v. 1). The first brings nasty sores to all those wearing the mark of the beast (v. 2). The second turns the oceans’ waters to blood (v. 3). All sea life dies. The third does the same to all freshwater rivers and springs (vv. 4–7). This is poetic justice: Given their sinful actions, people deserve to drink blood.

The fourth bowl judgment is environmental disaster, as the sun scorches the earth (vv. 8–9). In the fifth bowl, the very “throne of the beast” is targeted (vv. 10-11). Darkness descends. In the sixth bowl, the Euphrates River dries up and the false trinity gathers its forces, via deceiving demonic spirits, for Armageddon (vv. 12–16).

Verse 15 is a message to believing readers from Christ Himself. We’re exhorted to “stay awake” and be ready. He will return “like a thief,” unexpectedly (1 Thess. 5:2). Jesus gave His followers the same message (Matt. 24:36–44; 25:1–13) and wrote the same to the church at Sardis earlier in the book (Rev. 3:2–3).

With the seventh bowl, the words “It is done!” are pronounced. Natural devastation follows—including an earthquake and hailstones—as well as spiritual devastation, the fall of Babylon. Of course, the survivors will repent now? No. They continue to curse God.

Go Deeper

Why is evil irrational? Throughout all of Scripture, we see that sin hurts the sinner. Why can the wicked not see the harm they bring on themselves?

Pray with Us

Our hearts are grieved for those who turn away from You, Lord. We know sin separates us from You. Open the eyes of the unbelieving so they may find eternal hope in Your love!

You are just in these judgments, O Holy One.Revelation 16:5

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/