Daily Archives: October 14, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Love Not the World

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Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:15

Recommended Reading: Matthew 6:31-33

If your house was on fire and you could only escape with one or two things, what would you save? We could ask the question a different way: When it comes time to depart this life, what would you like to take with you? In response to that question, we often hear it said, “You can’t take it with you.”

The truth is that we can’t take anything with us from this world. And our departure from this world will be made much easier if we have not loved the things of this world. After all, “the world is passing away, and the lust of it” (1 John 2:17). As evidence of the temporary nature of this world, “the grass withers, the flower fades” (Isaiah 40:8). Why are we told not to love the world we live in? Because “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19), and we are not to be “conformed” to it (Romans 12:2).

Ask God to help you be attached to His Kingdom (Matthew 6:33) and detached from the things of this world.

To forsake Christ for the world is to leave a treasure for a trifle.
William Jenkyn

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Lives Molded by God

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“Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 18:6

Today’s Scripture

Jeremiah 18:1-10

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

When Asheton met Nick, she described herself as lost, lacking purpose, and behaving in ways she wasn’t proud of. Nick had recently experienced something similar and had reconnected with his faith in the process. He shared with Asheton how viewing God as a loving potter who had reshaped his life and given him hope in that difficult time. The two eventually married and took up pottery as a hobby. Now they offer pottery classes and encourage the attendees that “they’re special and created for a purpose.”

God likened Himself to a potter when communicating with the prophet Jeremiah, instructing him to observe the way a potter reshaped marred pots into new pots “as seemed best to him” (Jeremiah 18:4). God revealed to the prophet His ability to shape and reshape the Israelites—either planting or uprooting them according to their response to His counsel. He endowed Jeremiah with a message of repentance and hope for them that He can “do with you, Israel, as this potter does” (v. 6).

Jeremiah’s message was proclaimed to the nation of Israel, but the principle applies to our individual lives as well. When we find ourselves wandering from God’s truth in our thoughts and actions, we can turn to the Potter for help. When we admit our wrongdoings and ask Him for guidance and wisdom to change our ways, we can trust Him to reshape us with His loving hands.

Reflect & Pray

When has God reshaped your life? How are you different today as a result of His help?

Please mold me, dear Father, into the person You want me to be.

Today’s Insights

In Jeremiah 18, the image of a potter working and reworking a clay pot illustrates both God’s grace and power as well as the seriousness of sin. The statement that “the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands” (v. 4) suggests that imperfections in the clay prevented the potter from making the pot as originally intended. Similarly, if God’s people persisted in their rebellion against Him, they couldn’t expect to experience His full blessing. Like a potter forced by poor material to make an inferior clay vessel, God would respond to their rebellion with judgment (vv. 9-10). His grace remained unchanged, however, and was always available. If at any point the people repented, God would “relent” and not send judgment (vv. 7-8). Today as well, when we wander from God’s truth, His grace and restoration are always available.

For further study, read: Remade in the image of Jesus

 

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – What does the Bible say about horror movies?

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Last week, a man with what appeared to be an open wound on his face walked in and casually ordered a latte in my local coffee shop. His cheek, ear, and eyebrow were flayed. It looked like skin grafts from a motorcycle accident. Looking at his wound was difficult, but looking away was equally challenging.

Also last week, we moved into a new house. At night, we opened a drawer and discovered a live cockroach amongst our Tupperware. Our sleep was troubled by the imagery of a colony living in and under our bungalow. (Thankfully, it was a one-off.)

Horror exists in real life, in the minor ways mentioned above, and in far worse ways, as in war, serial killings, and chronic illness. As Christians, we know supernatural horror, as in demon possession, also exists.

However, in recent decades, some Christians have objected to movies that instill horror. So, what does the Bible say about horror movies? Should you watch them or avoid them? In what ways might they be dangerous?

Continue reading Denison Forum – What does the Bible say about horror movies? →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Standing By

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 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, ‘Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.’ 

—Acts 23:11

Scripture:

Acts 23:11 

The apostle Paul was blessed with a tremendous circle of friends and fellow laborers for Christ. He gave shout-outs to several of them in his letters.

“Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. . . . I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. . . . Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. . . . Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. . . . Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house” (Colossians 4:7–15 NLT).

Yet, for various reasons, his friends weren’t always available to him. Paul concluded his last letter with this emotional plea: “Timothy, please come as soon as you can. Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me” (2 Timothy 4:9–11 NLT).

Paul was no stranger to loneliness. Yet he was never really alone. God was with him, as we talked about in last week’s devotions. And God was all he really needed.

Acts 23:11 says, “That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, ‘Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well’” (NLT). Be encouraged. Some people might say that seems like a lot to ask, considering the circumstances. Paul had just endured a hostile hearing and had been taken back into Roman custody for doing God’s work. But the Lord assured him that his ministry was not over. Paul would preach the Good News in Rome as well.

Paul trusted God, but he also struggled with some very real human emotions—starting with loneliness. And who can blame him? Sometimes God’s call can seem like a solitary journey. The people we turn to in other areas of our life aren’t always available to us or sympathetic to our needs.

That’s when we need to ask God to make His presence known to us as He did for Paul. The Lord’s company is all we need. God blesses us with family, friends, and fellow workers to share fellowship. But occasionally, we need to be reminded that He is all we require.

We all face prisons, of sorts. But we never face them alone.

Reflection question: When was the last time you got a very real sense that God was with you? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Perfect Minded

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by Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

“Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” (Philippians 3:15–16)

Earlier, Paul had noted that he was not “already perfect” (Philippians 3:12), using a form of the Greek verb teleioo. In today’s verse, Paul uses the adjective form teleios. Although the root of the word is the same, this particular usage is significant.

In verse 12, the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to use the past perfect tense of teleioo, rendering the translation “not having been perfected” and thereby recognizing that the end product of God’s salvation has not yet been completed. The adjective form, teleios, denotes the sense of maturity, both in our text and the other 18 instances in the New Testament.

Those of the family of God who are “mature,” even if we might be “otherwise minded,” are to expect that our Lord Jesus will reveal “even this,” or the prize that we are to focus on in Philippians 3:14. The “one thing” of Philippians 3:13 is so important that we must “walk by the same rule” and “mind the same thing” (our text).

The Greek word for “walk” is only used four other times in the New Testament, and it describes marching in a row and following a prescribed order. We are to “walk in the steps” that Abraham exemplified (Romans 4:12), just as we are to “also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).

Finally, we are exhorted to “mind” the same thing. Our thought processes are to be focused on that one thing that is most important—seeking the kingdom first. May these clear commands find their way into our hearts. HMM III

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Doubt Is a Choice

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Adapted from Battlefield of the Mind

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed and made appointment with them. And when they saw Him, they fell down and worshiped Him; but some doubted. Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).

Matthew 28:16-20 (AMPC)

These verses give us some insights as to what happened immediately after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We often refer to this passage as the Great Commission. Jesus appeared to His disciples on a particular mountain in Galilee, and He told them that God the Father had given Him all authority in heaven and on earth. He then charged them to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations.

Matthew says that the disciples worshiped Jesus the instant they realized it was actually Him they were seeing. But then he adds the one sad, negative statement in this significant story: But some doubted.

How can that be? Judas was dead, but the others—those great Christians who later traveled throughout the known world and taught everyone about Jesus—doubted? How could they? Had they not witnessed miracles? Had they not seen the lame walk, the blind eyes opened, the demon-possessed healed? Had they not seen Jesus dying on the cross? Did they not—even now—notice His nail-scarred hands?

The answer to all of these questions, of course, is yes. Yet Matthew still says, But some doubted (Matthew 28:17 AMPC). Even these special, anointed, and handpicked followers of Christ struggled with doubt and unbelief.

Is it any wonder then that Jesus referred to the importance of faith on so many occasions? Why would Jesus rebuke these faithful men for not believing? Why would He urge them not to doubt? It was because He knew the hearts of men.

Earlier in his gospel, Matthew described what happened when Jesus saw a fig tree that had leaves but no fruit. A fig tree bears fruit at the same time or before it produces leaves, so it was reasonable for him to expect the tree to be bearing fruit. And He said to it, Never again shall fruit grow on you! And the fig tree withered up at once (Matthew 21:19 AMPC).

The disciples marveled and asked him, How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once (Matthew 21:20 AMPC)?

Jesus’ answer about the fig tree also applies to faith. Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done (Matthew 21:21 AMPC).

His point is this: When we believe and do not doubt, we can accomplish miracles. Abraham believed, and God honored his faithfulness. Faith is a gift of God, but doubt is a choice. Doubt is a result of thoughts formed in the mind that are in direct opposition to God’s Word. That is why it is so important for us to know the Word of God. We are immediately able to discern the devil’s lies when we know the Word. Doubt is just another part of the devil’s arsenal of weapons aimed against our minds.

I’ve often pointed out that we can choose our thoughts. We have the option to decide whether to accept or reject our thoughts. That means when doubt knocks on the door of our minds, we have the option of inviting it in or calmly but firmly dismissing it. The choice is ours. We can believe or we can doubt. And we know the path of believing leads to the blessings of God.

Prayer of the Day: Dear Lord Jesus, I have allowed doubt to enter my mind; many times, I have allowed Satan to torture me through my thoughts. I confess these things and ask for Your forgiveness. Now I ask You to fill me with faith and enable me to push away such thoughts. I rejoice that I believe only in You, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Christ Does What We Can’t 

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Play

The crowd followed Jesus around the Sea of Galilee. The 15,000 people—5,000 men plus women and children—were hungry. Philip and Andrew counted the hungry people. They counted the money in their bag. They counted the amount of fish and bread.

They did not, however, count on Christ. And he was standing right there! Yet the idea of soliciting his help did not dawn on them. Even so, Jesus went right to work. “Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated…and as much fish as they were wanting, too” (John 6:11). The impossible task of feeding all these people became the unforgettable miracle of all these people fed.

What we cannot do, Christ does. The problems we face are opportunities for Christ to prove his point. Remember friends, you are never alone.

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Fruitful Promises

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Read Ezekiel 17:22–24

“I think that I shall never see / A poem lovely as a tree,” wrote poet Joyce Kilmer in “Trees.” Indeed, everything made by our Creator God is a work of art. His description continues: “A tree that looks at God all day, / And lifts her leafy arms to pray… Poems are made by fools like me, / But only God can make a tree.”

In Ezekiel 17, God plants a cedar tree as an image of His faithfulness. So far this month we’ve seen farming imagery and language used about both people (for example, reaping what we sow) and God (for example, sending fruitful harvests). Here, the Lord announces He will plant a cedar shoot (young tree) on the top of a high mountain (v. 22). It looks small to begin with, but it has the potential to become a towering tree. The “high and lofty mountain” likely symbolizes Jerusalem. Sure enough, the cedar twig will become a “splendid cedar” (v. 23). This won’t happen overnight. The growth of a tree is slow but steady, that is to say, God’s plans take time to unfold. In time, the birds will nest and find shelter in the mature tree. This picture usually indicates safety or security.

God can do this because He is sovereign over all nations (“the trees of the forest”). He can bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall,” or “dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish” (v. 24; cf. Ps. 75:6–7; Luke 1:51–53). What He has said He will do is as good as done (see Heb. 11:1). In context, Ezekiel’s images are messianic. Just as Isaiah had spoken of a Branch from the “stump of Jesse” (Isa. 11:1–5), so Ezekiel wrote here of a flourishing cedar tree.

Go Deeper

Are we patient enough with God’s plans? That is, do we hold on to faith while the tree is growing? What can we do to strengthen our faith during difficult seasons?

Pray with Us

Holy Father, thank You for keeping all Your promises. When we are tired of waiting, bring to our minds all the times You have shown your faithfulness. Help us trust Your plan.

It will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar.Ezekiel 17:23

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/