Daily Archives: June 25, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Conquering Worry

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His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness … by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises.
2 Peter 1:3-4

Recommended Reading: Matthew 6:31-34

Someone has said that it is hard to be mad at a person you are praying for! So the best way to deal with negative emotions about another person is to pray for them. Likewise, it is hard to worry when we consider God’s promises. So when we start to worry, the best thing to do is to immerse our mind in Scripture to be reminded of God’s promises to care for us.

The apostle Peter wrote his two epistles to Christians who were scattered in churches across Asia Minor. First Peter dealt with persecutions from outside the churches; 2 Peter dealt with radical attacks from within the churches. In 2 Peter 1:3-4, Peter prescribes a defense for withstanding both situations: God’s “great and precious promises” that provide “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” The defense against all sources of worry or anxiety is God’s promises found in Scripture.

When worry rises, go to the Word and meditate on it until the promise of peace is met (Isaiah 26:3).

Worry is like a rocking chair; it will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere. 
Anonymous

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – The Father’s Open Arms

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In you the fatherless find compassion. Hosea 14:3

Today’s Scripture

Hosea 14:1-7, 9

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

Mary Slessor’s compassionate heart led her to open her arms to those in need. The Scottish missionary, born in 1848, served among the people of Okoyong in a distant land. Superstition led people of that region to believe that when twins were born, one was good and one was the child of a demon. This often led to both twins dying—being abandoned to starvation or other dangers. Reflecting the loving heart of God, in time Mary helped save hundreds of the at-risk children, adopting nine as her own!

In his inspired words to the rebellious nation of Israel, the prophet Hosea offers a glimpse into God’s caring heart for children. The prophet said of Him, “In you the fatherless find compassion” (14:3). Hosea stated that God cared for His own and desired to “love them freely” (v. 4). But they needed to turn from their defiance of Him and embrace His ways. They were instructed to turn from pagan deities to the true God who cares for the most helpless, the orphans. And if they returned to God, they’d find forgiveness from the one who would “receive [them] graciously” (vv. 1-2).

As we open our arms to those around us, including at-risk children, we reflect the love of God. Let’s embrace His compassionate heart and extend His care to those in need as He helps us.

Reflect & Pray

How has God’s loving example led you to care for those in need? How does it encourage you to know that in Him “the fatherless find compassion”?

Compassionate God, please open my heart and my arms to children and others who are in need around me.

Today’s Insights

The book of Hosea begins with a bitter, living picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God, lived out in the promiscuous lifestyle of Hosea’s unfaithful wife (1:2). Ultimately Hosea buys her back out of her enslaved condition—a picture of God’s redemption of His wayward people (3:1-5). At the time, Israel faced severe judgment for their sins. The book’s final chapter brings hope and an appeal. The prophet says, “Take words with you and return to the Lord” (14:2). He counsels them, “Say to [God], ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips’ ” (v. 2). Some scholars believe the “fruit of our lips” is a reference to their honest confession before God—a far preferable sacrifice than the empty rituals they’d been performing (6:6). As we share what God has done for us, we invite others to accept the love of our gracious and forgiving Father.

Learn what it means to be a sacrificial servant by reading Who Is Your Neighbor?

 

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Should Christians use The Passion Translation?

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There has been a significant amount of controversy and discussion around The Passion Translation (TPT) over the course of the past few years, but perhaps none more polarizing than last week when prominent Bible teacher, apologist, and YouTuber Mike Winger chose to uninstall the YouVersion Bible App over its inclusion of the TPT due to its lack of accuracy and translation standards. Some believers considered this a worthy hill to die on, while others felt it was an overreaction. Regardless, the TPT’s creator and translator, Brian Simmons, has formed a quite controversial Bible translation that demands research and understanding.

How are Bible Translations Created?

To understand what the TPT is and what it is not, one must understand how Bible translations are formed.

First, there are the ancient biblical manuscripts, with the oldest and most dependable being in Hebrew (Old Testament) and Koine Greek (New Testament). The Old Testament also contains some Aramaic manuscripts, though far fewer than the many Hebrew manuscripts.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Should Christians use The Passion Translation? →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Good Isn’t Good Enough

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 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 

—Romans 3:23

Scripture:

Years ago, I was a guest on a morning television show. The host and I were having a nice chat when, near the end of the program, he dropped a bombshell. He said, “Greg, I have a question for you. You believe that most of the world is non-Christian and that because of that, they are going to burn in Hell for all eternity. What kind of loving God would ever create such a scenario? Is that like a petty boss that some people have created, not understanding God?”

I had about two minutes to respond to that question. But after the show ended and the cameras stopped rolling, our conversation continued. He went on to ask me about good people and how a God of love could allow them to face judgment.

I pointed out that we must define what “good” is. As humans, we have a sliding scale of good. Everyone seems to believe that they are good. They are always the moral center of their universe. They immediately give themselves a free pass and believe that other people aren’t as good as they are. The problem is that we have conflicting views regarding what is good.

So, how do we determine what good is? We all have the answer, and it’s found in the Bible. God says, “No one is righteous—not even one” (Romans 3:10 NLT). This doesn’t mean there aren’t good people in a broad sense; it means no one is good enough to get to Heaven on their own merit.

In the end, it’s not our standards of goodness that matter; it’s God’s. And, as the apostle Paul makes clear a few verses later in Romans 3, God’s threshold for goodness is much higher than ours. “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (verse 23 NLT).

Our efforts to be “good enough” on our own don’t impress God. Isaiah 64:6 says, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” (NLT). Our good deeds can’t help us escape the judgment we deserve for our sin. Only God’s forgiveness can do that.

From an eternal perspective, being good isn’t about being the nicest person or the kindest person. It’s about being a forgiven person. That’s who will be in Heaven: forgiven people.

If you’ve always put your faith in your own goodness, now is the time to reevaluate. Consider the warnings of Scripture carefully. Admit that your best isn’t good enough. Confess your sins to God and ask for His forgiveness. Trust in the righteousness of Christ for your salvation.

If you’ve already done that, embark on your own personal mission to take the gospel message to the people around you. Help them understand why good isn’t good enough.

 

Reflection question: How would you respond to someone who believes that they’ll go to Heaven when they die because they’re a good person? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – In the Midst

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.” (John 20:26)

In His earthly life, Jesus was often “in the midst” of things. At the age of 12 He was found in the temple, “sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions” (Luke 2:46). Then, early in His adult ministry, His hometown enemies at Nazareth attempted to kill Him, “but he passing through the midst of them went his way” (Luke 4:30). Later, in Jerusalem, a group of Pharisees sought to stone Him, but He simply went “through the midst of them, and so passed by” (John 8:59).

Finally, however, they were able to put Him to death, and as a bitter testimony of their hatred, they had Him crucified with two common criminals: “on either side one, and Jesus in the midst” (19:18). Three days later, the tomb was emptied, and He would never again be in the midst of enemies. Instead, He met His disciples in the upper room.

There, “when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you” (20:19). Eight days later, with Thomas present, Jesus once again appeared in their midst and greeted them with reassuring words of peace.

Though now in heaven, His presence still speaks peace to us through His Holy Spirit, for He promised, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Even in the ages to come, He will be in our midst, for John says, describing that scene, “In the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,” and then all creation will sing “unto the Lamb for ever and ever” (Revelation 5:6, 13). HMM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Choose Relationships Wisely

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. But the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance or at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7 (AMPC)

When we choose the people with whom we think we want to be in relationship—whether work-related or personal—we often find later that our choices were not very wise. Ask God to give you “divine connections.” He may choose relationships for you that you would never have chosen because you have preconceived ideas about what you want. Learn to look beyond the exterior of people and see their heart. Someone may look good outwardly and be a nightmare to be in relationship with. Another person may not appeal to you at first glance, and yet when you get to know that individual, he or she may turn out to be the best friend you ever had.

I was insecure and always wanted to be friends with the “popular people,” but quite often I ended up getting hurt. I sought the approval of such people because I was filled with insecurity.

Wisdom always chooses now what it will be happy with later on. Don’t live like there is no tomorrow, because tomorrow always comes.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, only You can see people’s hearts and give me the wisdom to know the best relationships for me. I ask You to connect me with the right friends and associates, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – God, a Father to All 

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Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” A glimpse of God’s goodness changes us. If He is only slightly stronger than us, why pray?  If He has limitations, questions, and hesitations, then you might as well pray to the Wizard of Oz.

Psalm 68:5-6 says that God is “a father to the fatherless.  He sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity.”

Pray with me! “Dear God. Remind me today that you protect me.  Be my father and defender.  Defend those who are weak and afraid and feel forgotten.  Show up in their lives today. Thank you for giving me a spiritual family that can never be taken away.  I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.”

At any point you’re only a prayer away from help!

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Grace and Truth

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Read 2 Peter 2:1–10a

One of the most challenging issues Israel faced was the prevalence of false prophets. Partly this was because there were so many of them (e.g., Jer. 26:7–9), but also because they did not tell people the truth, but what they would rather hear (e.g., Jer. 27:9–10). They did not become prophets out of devotion to the Lord, but for their own financial gain (Jer. 6:13). Their false teaching was part of the reason Israel ended up in exile under God’s judgment.

Peter was concerned about a similar situation in the church. He knew false prophets and teachers would infiltrate the church (v. 1). They would deny the Lord Jesus and sow discord (v. 1). Even more worrisome, many people would follow them (v. 2). They were appealing and captivating. They were motivated by greed and willing to say just about anything for profit (v. 3).

Peter warns that these false prophets will be judged. For scriptural proof, he turns to three stories from the early chapters of Genesis: fallen angels (Gen. 6:1–8); the Flood (Gen. 6–9); and Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.19). While the reference to the angels who sinned is a bit enigmatic, Peter’s point is that if God did not spare angels who sinned (v. 4), He will not spare these false teachers either. In Noah’s day, humanity had become so corrupt that God brought about the Flood (v. 5). Yet, God was able to make a distinction between the righteous and the wicked, sparing Noah and his family.

In a similar way, God judged Sodom and Gomorrah, but spared Lot (v. 7). The good news is that we worship a God who is passionate about truth and justice (vv. 9–10). It is also a call for us to be discerning about the teachers we allow to speak into our lives, which include books, podcasts, and social media.

Go Deeper

Are false teachers still a threat to the church and the believer today? How do we guard ourselves against them?

Pray with Us

Loving Father, this message about Your justice reminds us of Your great love for us. Give us discernment about the voices we listen to as we seek to know You better.

The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment.2 Peter 2:9

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/