Day One - Trading Spaces Monday 7th April 2014

Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: Scripture: For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Christ traded spaces with us on the cross. He died in our place, for our sin. But if you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, you only believe one-half of the Gospel. The other half of the Gospel is the fact that Christ fulfilled God's standard perfectly. He was 100% righteous. So if Christ had been only 90% righteous or 80% righteous, his sacrifice would not meet God's demands. He was 100% righteous. So, once we our bow knee to Christ and ask him to come into our life to take residence, to come into the dwelling place of your heart, then the righteousness of Christ is imputed (given) into our life. So when God sees you, He sees Jesus and His perfect character. This is only able to take place because of the resurrection power in our lives. That's the power that can renovate our minds and hearts today and that will one day completely renovate and restore our sin-torn bodies into glorified bodies that will live forever in heaven. The resurrection is the final hope of every Christ-follower. It is the "final reveal" of God's design and renovation: the perfection of our mind, body, and spirit. On the other side of the grave, when God says, "Okay, open your eyes and see your new space," you will open your eyes in a resurrected, recreated body, a completely new space that you will inhabit for eternity. It will be the perfect space, designed by the perfect Designer (God the Father), rebuilt by the perfect Carpenter (Jesus Christ) and purchased at the ultimate cost (Christ's precious blood). But you've got to make the choice: Are you going to keep trying on your own to rebuild the rubble left by sin or are you going to let the Carpenter renovate your life into the perfect space. Prayer: I praise you that I am wonderfully made into your image for your purpose; I purpose to continue to radiate the perfect life of Jesus that is with in me to influence a lost world for Him.
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Day Two How cruel can you be? Tuesday 8th April 2014
Reading: Matthew 12: Scripture: "I tell you the truth; whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24 Early in Julius Caesar's political career, the people of Rome hated him so badly that he thought it best to leave his country. He sailed for the Aegean island of Rhodes, but on the way pirates attacked his ship and Caesar was captured. The pirates demanded a ransom of 12,000 gold pieces, and Caesar's staff was sent to make the arrangements for payment. For almost 40 days, the pirates held Caesar captive. He would jokingly tell them that he would someday capture and crucify them. The amused kidnappers dismissed his threats. But when the ransom was paid and Caesar was released, the first thing he did was gather his army together to pursue the pirates. The pirates indeed were captured and crucified! This was the Romans' attitude toward crucifixion. This cruel death was reserved only for the worst criminals. It was meant to show extreme contempt for the condemned. And the pain and humiliation experienced by someone crucified by the Romans was unmatched by any other. They condemned and humiliated the person and name of Jesus thousands of years ago just as many people do today. And even though He died a lowly death, we as believers can rejoice in knowing that "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:25). Jesus died for the sins of all--including those who beat Him and nailed Him to the cross. You may know of someone today who doesn't know Jesus. Will you be the one to influence them about the forgiveness He gives? Will you be the one who, through TurningPoint, points them toward eternal life through Jesus? PRAYER: Lord I ask that You bring someone into my life this Easter time who I can share the story of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection, and the price He paid for their sins.
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Day Three - Forgiveness Wednesday 9th April 2014 Reading: Luke 12: Scripture: Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Luke 23:34 As we all know, words are powerfulespecially dying words. And as we near Easter Sunday, it's important that each of us remembers just exactly what Jesus had to say right before His earthly life ended. One of the last things Jesus said while hanging from the cross were words of forgiveness. If Christ could pray a prayer of forgiveness for those who were putting Him to death, can you pray a prayer of forgiveness for those in your life who mistreat you? Despite what you may be going through today, can you look past your own "junk" and extend forgiveness to influence others? Jesus' dying words on the cross are a powerful example of how you and I ought to treat those who mistreat us. Are you willing to follow His perfect example in every area of your life today? Will you extend forgiveness to those who don't deserve it? I challenge you to pick up your cross today and live out the life of forgiveness Christ has given you and be an influence for good! Prayer: Lord show me where to forgive as Christ forgave. May I be able to leave a lasting Influence in others lives this Easter. May we at TurningPoint see, as Christ saw, the hope in others. In Your name I ask.
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Day Four Maximilian Kolbe pt1 Thursday 10th April 2014

Reading: Luke 9: Scripture: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 Maximilian Kolbe once wrote, Beyond armies of occupation and the hetacombs of extermination camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are the victories on the battlefield if we ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal selves? Maximilian Kolbe, a wild-child-turned-convert, was a Polish priest during the dark days of World War II. He dedicated his life to boldly proclaiming Christ and leaving an Influence, traveling as far as Japan in spite of knowing very little Japanese. Ultimately, he found himself in Auschwitz prison, ministering to fellow prisoners. He died after offering his life in place of another prisoner who had a wife and children. A nobody by the worlds standards who went on to be reunited with his many children after the war. Kolbes life is one of many amazing examples of Christians imitating Christ to the point of following Him to the Cross their influence is immeasurable. Kolbes was known for personal integrity, for living a life that daily revealed love for his Saviour in every little action long before he was faced with time at Auschwitz. Believers like Kolbe understand that life cannot be compartmentalized. We cannot act saintly one hour, devilishly the next, and say at the end of the day, Well, on average I am a pretty good person. No doubt, a life of small, daily moments of choosing Christ, of constant conversion and submission to the Lord, paved the way for Kolbe and countless other heroes of the faith to choose Christ when it mattered most. Prayer: Lord teach me to develop the boldness that was displayed in the life of Maximilian Kolbe. May I know when and how to step forward to show the love and forgiveness of Christ to others to influence them for Christ.
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Day Five White Martyrdom Friday 11th April 2014

Reading: John 13: Scripture: Philippians 2: 4 Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 7 Christ emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Often, when we think of martyrdom we think of dramatic deaths like the early Christians endured in the Coliseum or the horrors Kolbe faced in that concentration camp. Yet, in reflecting on Christs sufferings, we see our own call as Christians to take up our cross and follow in Christs footsteps. In many ways, martyrdom isnt reserved for a few Christians in faraway countries. There is a second kind of martyrdom to which all Christians are called, sometimes referred to as white martyrdom. White martyrdom is the subtle; death to self believers must embrace on a daily basis. It is a call to surrender all to the Lord, to be willing to sacrifice personal pleasures or temporary desires for a greater good. White martyrdom is the housewife who shelves her masters degree to stay home with her little ones. Its the husband who does household chores after a long day of work to give his wife much-needed time to herself. Its the college student who stays chaste in the face of temptation, only to be rewarded by the ridicule of his buddies. Its the colleague who puts in extra hours, but never gets extra credit. White martyrdom is the stuff that builds character, leaves an Influence, the stuff that strengthens spiritual muscles and its rewards may or may not come in this lifetime. Yet God does not fail to treasure each and everything we do for Him - no matter how hidden or small. A life of white martyrdom may not sound very appealing. Yet it is amazing how so many people see Christianity to be a crutch! But the longer we walk the Christian walk, the more we realize how true glory cannot be separated from some measure of suffering how Easter cannot be divorced from the pain of Good Friday. PRAYER: God, give me the discretion and wisdom to deal with everything life throws at me. May I hunger and thirst for Your Word, so that when the storms come I am firmly anchored and guided by Your wisdom to be Your influence in this world.
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Saturday The lead up to Palm Sunday - 12th April 2014

The biblical account of Palm Sunday can be found in Matthew 21:111; Mark 11:1-11;
Palm Sunday is the Sunday we stop as Christians to celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. Some also call Palm Sunday as "Passion Sunday," marking the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday. The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches and covering his path with palm branches. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, He begins His journey to the cross.

Sunday - Palm Sunday - 13th April 2014

Five days before the Passover, Jesus came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Having sent two of His disciples to bring Him a colt of a donkey, Jesus sat upon it and entered the city. People had gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover and were looking for Jesus, both because of His great works and teaching and because they had heard of the miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus. When they heard that Christ was entering the city, they went out to meet Him with palm branches, laying their garments on the ground before Him, and shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel! At the outset of His public ministry Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God and announced that the powers of the age to come were already active in the present age (Luke 7:18-22). His words and mighty works were performed "to produce repentance as the response to His call, a call to an inward change of mind and heart which would result in concrete changes in one's life, a call to follow Him and accept His messianic destiny. Jesus' purpose was to accomplish the mission for which the Father sent Him. The Son the Word of the Father, seated on a foal. The children and adults alike honoured Him with palms and branches, singing hymns of praise: Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to the Son of David, who has come to save from error all mankind. Blessed art Thou, O Saviour, who hast come into the world to save Adam from the ancient curse; and in Thy love for mankind Thou hast been pleased to become spiritually the new Adam. O Word, who hast ordered all things for our good, glory to Thee.

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Day Eight What WE Need to Know Monday 14th April 2014 Reading: John 12:12-16 & Zechariah 9:9 Scripture: Mark 10:13&14 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them." Children and Easter. New life and new beginnings. What better time to share the gospel with Children and adults alike? But what does a person need to know to become a Christian? The following are some basics: First we need to be taught who God is and how He loves them. They need to know what sets Him apart from humans. God is holy; He is perfect. People, however, are not perfect. God is just; He is always fair. We are not just in all our decisions. God is love; He desires a relationship with us. That's why He sent His Son. We are not always motivated out of our love for another. Second, we need to be taught that sins must be forgiven (Rom. 6:23). Many in this culture of tolerance feel uncomfortable talking about hell. God is patient, but He is not tolerant. His justice calls for an atonement (a payment, a penalty) for people's sins. People need to have some understanding that their Sin can keep them out of heaven. Their Sin must be paid for. And that is what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. Finally we need to know that all can receive God's forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8,9). Faith involves repenting of our Sin, turning to God in faith and trusting Jesus Christ to be our Saviour and Lord. When we repent, we acknowledge our Sin before God and express our sorrow about our Sin to Him. Prayer: God I pray you would work in my heart so I would be ready to share and influence children and adults alike about the hope of the Easter message, and the joy it will bring to the hearts of those who will receive Him as Lord and Saviour.
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Day Nine Easter; better than Christmas? Tuesday 15th April 2014 Reading: Mark 4: Scripture: Romans 5:10 While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. In our society there are two great religious holidays - Christmas and Easter. For most of us Christmas is the bigger and greater season of the year. It's the time of year when we gather with family and friends to sing carols, decorate the tree, and exchange gifts. Christmas is the climax of the whole year. Easter? Well, for most people it's just another long weekend, another chance to get away for a few days. Some times even Christians view Easter as a second-rate holiday! Somehow we've gotten our thinking badly mixed up. If Easter had not happened, Christmas would have no meaning. If the tomb is not empty, the cradle makes no difference. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then He really is just a misguided Jewish rabbi with delusions of grandeur. If Easter is not true, then Christmas is only the story of an obscure baby born in an out-of-the-way village in a forgotten land 2000 years ago. It is Easter that gives Christmas its meaning. In all the New Testament no major doctrinal point is ever built upon the virgin birth of Christ. Not one. It's true. It happened. But it's never discussed or mentioned. In fact, two gospels don't even say anything about it. But the resurrection? That's a different story. In every part of the New Testament, it comes up again and again. Acts 4:28. When the first Christians preached, they didn't mention Bethlehem; they talked about the empty tomb. They never got over the fact that on Easter Sunday when they went to the tomb, Jesus was raised. Fulfilling Romans 5:10 While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life; Prayer: Father give me revelation to understand the depth of the Easter message so I can show the life of Christ that is living within me so I can be an influence for Christ wherever I go.
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Day Ten All I Live For Wednesday 16th April 2014

Reading: Luke 22: Scripture: He has risen, just as He said. Matthew 28:6, What would we do if someone we knew came back from the dead? Especially if they had said they would, and if they had spent a couple nights in a grave already? Seriously, what would we do? Wouldn't we blab to everyone we know - and most people I know don't - about this miraculous event? We seem to be quick to tell everyone when I'm feeling under the weather or when we saw a good movie. Then factor in this same guy who is now telling us that because of what he had done, none of the rest of us would have to suffer death, no matter our background, history, race, or education, & we could restore our long-lost connection with the Almighty, and live forever. Has the news of a Resurrected Saviour really hit us yet? Then why are we holding back from sharing this event with others? What are we afraid of? That well be rejected? (He who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 4:8)). That we won't be clear or powerful enough; or we might say something wrong? (God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Tim. 1:7)). Lets make this Easter the real deal to all we know. Jesus Resurrection is real, and we would be cheating life and people God loves if we at TurningPoint are not shouting those facts from every corner and rooftop we can find. Everything else is just window dressing. Why else are we here still on this earth if not to keep excitedly shouting the truth of the miracle of Jesus as if we'd just experienced it by faith with our own eyes? Prayer: Lord may I know the truth of your Resurrection and by the Holy Spirit boldly declare it to all I meet.
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Day Eleven HOPE Thursday 17th April 2014

Reading: Mark 15: Scripture: Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. John 20:16-18 The hope that Mary Magdalene experienced the day of Jesus' resurrection is the same hope you and I will celebrate this Easter Sunday. Helps you. It helps you cope with the darkness of disappointment. When you know Jesus Christ, you see Easter as more than a religious observance. It is the reality of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! Opens to you the possibility of restoration after defeat. Because Jesus came back from the grave, you can be restored and renewed, no matter how defeated you may feel. Provides you an answer when you doubt. Today, you may be wondering if all this is really true. If so, I advise you to sincerely search for God with all your heart by reading the Bible and listening to His Word being preached. Because He will show Himself strong on your behalf. Enables you to conquer death. Through your trust in Christ, you will live forever in eternity with Him. Did you know that 60% of Australians will go to church this Easter? And did you know that only 25% of those who go even know Easter's true meaning? Don't miss out on the true meaning of Easter this year! The truth is that because Jesus Christ lives, we can be forgiven of our sins, we can live a fulfilling life, and we can be set free! PRAYER: Father, I pray that you would bring people into my life so I can be the kind of friend to them that You are to me. Bring those into my life also that will build Godly principles and healthy habits into my life through TurningPoint. Amen.
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Day Twelve Extreme Good Friday 18th April 2014

Reading: Psalm 22: Scripture: If we say we have no sin, we are liars (1 John 1:8). The world looks at Christians 'celebrating death' on Good Friday, and they cant figure it out. They say, That is so extreme! In fact nobody speaks of sin anymore. Sin has almost disappeared from the Australian vocabulary. We speak of problems or hang-ups or issues. Its called a sickness or its called someone elses fault. But the Bible says very plainly that if we say we have no sin, we are liars (1 John 1:8). How serious is it? Paul said, The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). We sin because its our nature. Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all have sinned (Romans 5:12). And we sin by choice. Every day we commit individual acts that are an affront to God. They are an affront because God is absolutely holy. You see, holy God is wholly incompatible with sin and unrighteousness. You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness (Habakkuk 1:13). Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you (Isaiah 59:2). A Perfect, holy God cannot coexist with sinful man, were separated, were lost. One of two things must happen. Either the Holy God must destroy unholiness, or the Holy God must declare that which is unholy, holy. And that takes us to the cross. Jesus lived the perfect life that we could never live, and then took all our sins on Himself. So effectively, God said, Ill take the rap. Ill take all of your wickedness and evil and Ill put it on Myself so that when I die on the cross, its finished, once and for all. The cross is the only place that God will meet with mankind. The cross is the only place where both Gods mercy and Gods justice could meet. How can God be a God of love and a God of justice at the same time? How can holy, perfect God meet with sinful, rebellious man? Only at the cross. He came, He took our punishment, and then He declared you and me righteous because of it. PRAYER: Father, I ask You to show me what in my life displeases You. I then choose to do what You show me about it so that I can be one who enriches and influences the lives of others without fear.

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Day Thirteen - Your Dead Will Live - Saturday 19th April 2014
Scripture: Your dead will live; their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy (Isaiah 26:19). In Lukes account of Christs resurrection, angels proclaimed to the women: "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! (24:5-6). This joyous news must have taken them off guard. After all, they came to Jesus tomb bearing burial spices with which to anoint the lifeless body of their Lord. Instead, they find dazzling angels standing watch next to an empty tomb, and hear news that they will never find Christ in a place of death and darkness. As Easter draws closer, have you considered which aspects of your life God wants to breathe life into?

Day Fourteen Resurrection - Sunday 20th March 2014

Within three days Jesus followers went from heartbroken sadness to triumphant jubilation. The cross screamed, The End, making them feel hopeless and helpless. But the resurrection trumpeted, The Beginning, bringing confidence and courage. The cloud of doubt and despair that had shrouded them melted away and was replaced with unshakeable faith. Can you imagine how they felt when they realized Jesus had risen from the dead? Suddenly hope came alive; now everything He had said was validated as truth. They had not believed a lie. His victory over death was the acid test that forever sealed their sure conviction that He was the Messiah. We commemorate Jesus death on the cross with solemnity, but the resurrection calls for thunderous applause, praise, and song. All the blessings that come our way through the Saviours cross are confirmed by the resurrection. It proved that the Father was satisfied with the Sons payment for our sins. Now we can know that our transgressions are forgiven and were eternally secure. Whats more, Jesus promises that we, too, will be resurrected and given new bodies. Physical death could not hold Him, nor will it overpower us. Because He overcame the grave, His followers have the same kind of life He haseternal and indestructible. As Christians, we have the right to celebrate Easter with great rejoicing. Because of this event, our lives have been forever changed. Weve been transformed and given new life. With unwavering faith, we trust the Bible because Christs power over the grave proves He can and will fulfil every word.
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Day Fifteen New Life - Monday 21st April 2014

Reading: John 20: Scripture: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 A little boy born with Down Syndrome attended his Sunday School class faithfully each week. The other children did not readily accept the boy because he seemed different. On Easter Sunday their teacher brought in small boxes; one for each child. The children were told to go outside, find some symbols of new life, and put them in their containers. So the children ran wildly throughout the property looking for something to fill their boxes. Once they returned to the classroom, they began to share their discoveries with the class. One by one they opened their boxes to show flowers, butterflies, leaves, and more. Each time the class would "ooh" and "ahh." Then the child with Down Syndrome opened his box to reveal nothing inside. The children exclaimed, "That's stupid! It's not fair! He didn't do the assignment right!" The little boy exclaimed, "I did so do it! It's empty... because the tomb where Jesus laid was found empty!" If Jesus had not risen from the dead, our faith would be foolish and fake. But He did rise from death, confirming His life and message. The resurrection of Jesus is the basis for our hope of life eternal beyond the grave. Don't ever forget to include the resurrection of Christ from the dead when speaking of His death on the cross. For because He conquered sin on the cross and death through His resurrection, we can have unmistakable hope in Him for eternity. PRAYER: Praise God that you serve a risen Saviour! Thank Him for His sacrifice on the cross and for defeating death so that you and I may experience eternal life with Him one day.
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Day Sixteen A Pivotal Belief - Tuesday 22nd April 2014

Reading: Mark 16: Scripture: But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again. (1 Corinthians 15:20) A person once wrote the following to a local newspaper advice columnist: Dear Uticus, Someone told me that on Easter Friday that Jesus wasnt dead; just swooned on the cross and that His disciples nursed Him back to health. What do you think? Sincerely, Bewildered. The columnist replied, Dear Bewildered, Beat your someone with a cat of nine tails with 39 heavy strokes, nail him to a cross, hang him in the sun for six hours, run a spear through his heart, embalm him, put him in an airless tomb for 36 hours, and see what happens. Sincerely, Uticus. What sets the Christian faith apart from all other beliefs and religious systems in this world? It might come down to this: If you go to the tombs of any of the prophets on which world religions have been founded, you will find them occupied. But if you go to the tomb of Jesus Christ, you will find it empty, because He is alive. We serve a living Saviour. This is why the resurrection of Jesus is such an important message and also why it has been opposed so much throughout history. The devil knows that the Resurrection spells his defeat. He also knows that if you believe this great truth that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose again from the dead, it can change your life leaving an Influence for others to see. Not only can it change your life, but putting your faith in Him also means that you will have a new, resurrected body someday. As believers, we have this great hope that we, too, will live again. PRAYER: Father, show me which partnerships in my life are leading me on the path of blessing. Help me to grow in my capacity and resilience, to nurture my healthy lifeconnections and bring honour to You, in Jesus Name.

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Day Seventeen Life After Death - Wednesday 23rd April 2014

Reading: Luke 24: Scripture: 16 The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits? 18 This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? 21 So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luke 12:16-20 The thought of dying frightens many people. But believers have no reason to fear. Jesus's resurrection and empty tomb prove that there is life after death! Unbelievers who dread their demise have two different approaches to life. One group piles up wealth, good deeds, or worldly success in the hope of passing it on to their children or to charity. They expect to "live on" in the memories of those who benefit from their hard work. But it is the rare person who's still remembered a few generations later. None truly live on. The other group chooses to laugh in the face of death. Their philosophy is "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die" (1 Cor. 15:32). Their existence seems pleasurable from the outside, but can you imagine a more futile way to live? God does not intend for us to go through life with such meaninglessness. Here's the key to significance: fulfilling our unique, God-given, eternal purpose. In this life, we do not labour to leave a physical legacy or waste our days pursuing pleasure. Instead, we help those in need, influence our culture, and reach out to the lost. And when a believer enters the heavenly place Jesus has prepared, he or she keeps on working for Him. For the believer, death is not a fearsome end. It is the doorway to a new life of serving the Lord in heaven. Our days on earth are just the beginning of our existence. This time will seem like only a few minutes compared to an eternity spent in His presence. PRAYER: God, Youre my Father. Thank You for the gift of family. I ask You for wisdom & understanding though the Word to appreciate and nurture my own family and to strengthen & support other families in my world. In Jesus Name.
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Day Eighteen - Hope beyond This Life - Thursday 24th April 2014
Reading: 1 Corinthians 15 Scripture: But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 1 Corinthians 15:13-14 Not only does the Bible tell us we will live beyond the grave, but it also tells us there is hope beyond this life. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead proves there is life beyond the grave for the believer. The Bible says, "He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31). No doubt this is why the devil has tried to discredit the Resurrection over the years. This is why, ever since the first century, he has been spreading his rumours about what happened to the body of Christ. And one of the oldest rumours of all was that His body was stolen by the disciples. But claiming that the body of Jesus was stolen actually proves the Resurrection of the Lord. His friends could not have taken it, because they left the scene and were convinced He was dead. The apostles had no reason to counterfeit a Resurrection they did not even believe in themselves. And as we look at church history, we know that with the exception of John (who survived an execution attempt and was banished to the island of Patmos), all the apostles were martyred for what they believed. Don't you think at least one of them would have suddenly exposed such a lie if it were a lie? But they didn't, because none of them could deny what was true: Christ was risen, Christ is risen, and He is alive. Prayer: Lord remind us often that we have risen with you. We no longer needed to be concerned with the future as we know we are already one with You our Savour. May we at TurningPoint therefore be effective influences in our city for You.
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Day Nineteen Power - Anzac Day Friday 25th April 2014

Reading: Mathew 28: Scripture: Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures? 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon! 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. Luke 24:32-35 Many men gave their lives in many battles for our wellbeing, for us to enjoy the blessings we have in Australia. But we know the Lord Jesus Christ in His resurrection actually changed all of history. All that is and all that is our life is based upon the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. I wonder how many believers experience that resurrection power that was gained for us at such a high price. On a week just like this right after Resurrection Sunday, Jesus met two guys on the road to Emmaus who needed resurrection power to overcome one of the saddest weekends of their lives. They were walking home from Jerusalem, overwhelmed with the events they had witnessed. Jesus He knew their hearts were aching and He wanted to bring His resurrection power to bear upon them. He wants to do that for you too. If youre filled with sadness, your hopes have been dashed, things didnt turn out how you planned, how you wanted it to, these guys knew that too. But they learnt there is hope and power available to them as there is to us just as Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the lifeJohn 14:6. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:12-14. The most powerful event in history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ and we can know this power in our life. Believe what He said, embrace Him as your Saviour and learn what it means to walk and follow Jesus, who is risen from the dead. to know Him is life eternal (John 17:3). Prayer: Father, Your power is above all things. Help me to know that power through a personal relationship with Your Son, Jesus Christ. I dont want to go one more day without that power flowing through me to influence me. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Day Twenty Work - Saturday 26th April 2014

Often our good side is saved for our friends and loved ones, while our places of work get the short (or grumpy) end of the stick. As you ponder the work Christ did on the cross, and the glory of His resurrection, remember that our work can be a beautiful echo of His perfect work, holy and pleasing to God. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:10-12).

Day Twenty One Believe - Sunday 27th April 2014

Jesus himself testified to his coming resurrection from the dead. Jesus spoke openly about what would happen to him: crucifixion and then resurrection from the dead. "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:31; see also Matthew 17:22; Luke 9:22). Those who consider the resurrection of Christ unbelievable will probably say that Jesus was deluded or (more likely) that the early church put these statements in his mouth to make him teach the falsehood that they themselves conceived. But those who read the Gospels and come to the considered conviction that the One who speaks so compellingly through these witnesses is not the figment of foolish imagination, will be unsatisfied with this effort to explain away Jesus' own testimony to His resurrection from the dead. This is especially true in view of the fact that the words which predict the resurrection are not only the simple straightforward words quoted above, but also the very oblique and indirect words which are far less likely to be the simple invention of deluded disciples. For example, two separate witnesses testify in two very different ways to Jesus' statement during his lifetime that if His enemies destroyed the temple (of his body), He would build it again in three days (John 2:19; Mark 14:58; cf. Matthew 26:61). He also spoke illusively of the "sign of Jonah" three days in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:39; Matthew 16:4). And He hinted at it again in Matthew 21:42 "The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner." On top of His own witness to the coming resurrection, His accusers said that this was part of Jesus' claim: "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while He was still alive, After three days I will rise'" (Matthew 27:63).
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