Daily Archives: September 4, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Guard Your Influence

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Then [the sailors] said to [Jonah], “Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?”
Jonah 1:8

Recommended Reading: Matthew 16:11-12; Galatians 5:9

In 1624, the English poet John Donne penned a meditation whose title comes from the first line: “No Man Is an Island.” The theme of the short poem is the interconnectedness of human experience—what happens to one affects all.

When the prophet Jonah was fleeing from the call of God on his life, the ship he was on encountered a bad storm. The sailors concluded that it was Jonah who was the cause of their dangerous misfortune. They demanded to know who he was and what he had done to put them in danger. Jonah’s situation illustrates the point in John Donne’s poem: We do not act alone in life; our behavior impacts those around us. It raises the rarely discussed dimension of stewardship called the stewardship of influence. We are responsible for the influence we have on the lives of others.

Ask God today for grace to be a godly influence on those with whom you come in contact—to be salt and light in their life (Matthew 5:13-16).

Your influence is negative or positive, never neutral. 
Henrietta Mears

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Junk Files

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Let us throw off everything that hinders 
and the sin that so easily entangles. Hebrews 12:1

Today’s Scripture

Hebrews 12:1-7, 10, 14

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

My smartphone occasionally reminds me I’m not good at digital housekeeping. “Junk files are taking up space,” the message reads. “Delete 675MB of junk files.” Now, I dislike being nagged by my phone. But if I clean out those files, I’ve got more space for things that really matter. Then, when I’m at my daughter’s swim meet, for instance, I’ll have enough digital storage to actually shoot a video of her winning a race instead of unexpectedly realizing that those pesky “junk files” have sabotaged my ability to capture the moment.

Junk files on our phones are easy to delete. But what about the “junk files” in our souls? Like our phones, our souls can be clogged with stuff that keeps us from flourishing spiritually. The author of Hebrews understood this reality, encouraging us to pay close attention to anything that trips us up in our walk with God. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,” he writes, followed by this challenge: “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

What weighs you down? What trips you up? Hebrews encourages us to fix “our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (v. 2), who alone can help us identify and delete the “junk files” that hinder our abundant life in Him.

Reflect & Pray

What most trips you up in your relationship with God? How does your faith help you identify and throw off sinful influences?

Dear Father, please give me the wisdom and courage to “throw off . . . the sin that so easily entangles” me.

Today’s Insights

The original audience of the letter to the Hebrews were Jewish believers in Jesus who may have considered reverting back to Judaism or were straying toward false teachings (see 2:1-4; 3:1-4). Many scholars believe the book was written before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in ad 70 because it includes references to Jewish ceremonies and sacrifices. Hebrews encourages believers to endure and hold fast to Christ (2:1-4; 3:7–4:13; 5:11–6:2). In chapter 11, known as the “Hall of Faith,” the author commends the many men and women of the Bible who lived by faith and sometimes died because of it. Therefore, because of their witness and example, believers in Jesus are prompted to “throw off everything that hinders” us—including sin—and “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (12:1).

For further study, read: Sin is Awful, God is Gracious

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Why is the internet obsessed with “Oreo-gate”

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How a petty lunchbox debate went viral

One of the most interesting aspects of social media is the seeming randomness of which videos or posts go viral. And the perfect example of that unpredictability is “Oreo-gate,” a series of Instagram posts that has racked up tens of millions of views across what is, as of this writing, twenty-one videos. The story has been featured on “Good Morning America,” along with articles in the New York Post, First Post, Business Insider, and more.

The videos revolve around a group chat put to music in which one mom is angry that her daughter was given Oreos at school. She then tries to get all the other moms to stop sending Oreos, even going so far as to email the school and check lunchboxes after the other moms say no.

The kids eventually find ways to start sneaking her daughter Oreos, with the latest post detailing an Oreo-themed birthday party. Overall, it’s petty and silly, but it’s just believable enough to have struck a chord with millions who have viewed the videos.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Why is the internet obsessed with “Oreo-gate” →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Hearing God’s Voice in His Word

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 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. 

—Psalm 119:105

Scripture:

Psalm 119:105 

“God is love; He doesn’t punish people.” “God wants us to be our authentic selves and not listen to people who judge us.” “God doesn’t care about rules; He cares about what’s best for each person.” How many variations of these statements and others like them have you heard or read recently?

There are a lot of people today who claim to hear the voice of God telling them to do this or that. Some even claim God is telling them to disregard biblical teachings in favor of a more inclusive approach to Christianity. No matter how convincing these arguments may seem, however, we must remember that God never contradicts His Word. His truth never fades, changes, or evolves. It is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He always will lead us according to what His Word says.

That’s a hard pill for some people to swallow, especially when they see God’s Word as keeping them from pursuing their own desires. As a result, some come up with some lame concepts, such as, “We’re not married, but God has told us it’s okay to have sex.” I can assure them that God didn’t say that because in His Word says, “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NLT). God won’t contradict His Word.

We also need to realize that God’s Word isn’t an obstacle; it’s an opportunity. Think back to the time when people used to send letters by mail. If you were expecting a letter from someone, you’d stand at the window, waiting for what seemed like an eternity for the postal worker to come by. Then you’d bolt to the mailbox to look for your letter. Maybe it was from someone you were in love with. Maybe it was an answer to a job application. Maybe it was something you ordered in the mail. Maybe it was important news you’ve been waiting for.

But what if you had a handwritten note sent to you from God Himself? Would you carry it around in your pocket for a couple of weeks and open it when you got around to it? I doubt it. You probably would tear it open as you’re thinking, “Wow, God spoke to me! What does He have to say?”

The Bible is a written letter from God. Many people carry it around. They have it in different colors and sizes. They have it in different translations. They even have it on their phones and devices. But they never open it. A letter from God Himself goes unread.

What a missed opportunity! The psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NLT) God stands ready to illuminate every area of our lives. If you want Him to speak to you, then open His Word.

In the noise and busyness of social media, you’ll find countless people who will tell you what God wants and doesn’t want, what He loves and hates, what He rewards and punishes, and what He cares about and what He’s indifferent to.

But only in the quiet stillness of reading His Word for yourself will you find the truth about our heavenly Father.

Reflection question: How do you make the most of your time in God’s Word? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Doctrine of the Few

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people.” (Deuteronomy 7:7)

Modern people—even Christians—tend to measure success in terms of bigness. God’s measure, on the other hand, is based on quality, not quantity. There were undoubtedly millions of people on the earth, for example, when the Flood came in the days of Noah, but only a “few, that is, eight souls were saved” as the waters lifted up the Ark (1 Peter 3:20).

A few centuries after the Flood, populations had again increased, and great nations developed in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and elsewhere. But God called one man, Abraham, to establish a new nation. Many great nations (Arabs, etc.) came from Abraham, but again God chose only one, Israel, to inherit the promise. Israel did grow, but as our text shows, even this chosen nation was nearly always insignificant compared to other nations.

In Israel’s history, many instances are recorded when God used just a few to battle many. God used Gideon’s 300 men to defeat 135,000 Midianites (Judges 7:7; 8:10). Similar deliverances occurred in the days of David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and others.

In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus told His disciples that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). He also said to them, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

God’s criterion is motivation rather than multiplication. “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14). But those few will be faithful servants and will someday hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21). HMM

 

 

 

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

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – The Lord He is God 

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Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a duel on Mt. Carmel. He dared them to call on Baal to send fire. From morning to evening they cried. Satan had no response. With the prophets of Baal exhausted and defeated, Elijah “repaired the altar of the Lord” (1 Kings 18:30 NASB).

Twelve stones symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. They saturated the altar with water three times so that everything was soaked. Then Elijah prayed. He didn’t even request fire. But the Lord sent it. A blaze from heaven consumed the water, the rocks, the wood, even the dust. For the first time in three generations, the nation of Israel cried to Jehovah, “The Lord, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39 NASB).

Is it time for our generation to rebuild the altar?

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – The Lord’s Favor

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Read Ezra 1:5–6

Even today, with professional help readily available, moving to a new home is a big deal. Cross-country moves can be logistical nightmares, not to mention international moves. In Ezra 1:5–6, we see God’s people begin the long journey from Persia back to Jerusalem.

Cyrus’s decree (see 1:2–4) ended by commanding the non-Hebrew people “to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem” (v. 4). Verse 6 records the obedience of these people: “All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.” This series of events reminds us of the exodus, when God’s people “plundered” the Egyptians, who loaded them with goods as they departed after the fateful Passover. God had rescued His people before, and here He does it again! If God has called you to do something, rest assured that He will give you the means to obey. Just as He was throughout Scripture, He will continue to be faithful today. As the Scriptures say, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

Verse 5 states that the “family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.” Notice a few things. First, the family heads were responsible to lead their families in obeying the Lord. Second, the priest and Levites, who were responsible for leading Israel in worship and keeping the Torah, led the nation in obeying the Lord. And third, pay special attention to that part in the middle: God moved their hearts. This pattern holds true today.

Go Deeper

How is the Lord moving your heart today? Do you trust that He will provide you with all you need, just as He has provided so many times before?

Pray with Us

Dear Jesus, what are You calling us to do with our lives? Please reveal to us the work that You have prepared for us and move our hearts to obey.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.Hebrews 13:8

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/