Turn Here
SUNDAY, September 13
Ezekiel 33:10-11
Most of us have failed to follow our vehicle’s navigation system at times and heard the cheerful voice say, “Make a U-turn.” In this passage, I envision Ezekiel as an ancient navigator. God appointed him to be a watchman (v. 7), warning the Israelites to turn from their evil ways. Later in the chapter God reveals that good behavior cannot save someone who turns to sin. But a wicked person who turns from their sins will live.
Often, like the Israelites, we think we know the best way to get what we want. But life with Christ means we follow him instead of our sinful tendencies. Throughout this week, we will look at ways we can turn to follow Jesus’s path instead of our own.
Today’s turn involves repentance. We turn away from whatever dishonors God and toward abiding in him. God wants us to walk with him (v. 11) now and forever, so when we surrender to his will, we are turned in the right direction.
Prayer
Jesus, I know I am a sinner. Because of your love and sacrifice, I also know that I am forgiven. Help me to turn away from sin today. Give me a heart that is open to repentance and ears that are open to your guiding Spirit. Amen.
Turn To Praise
Monday, September 14
Psalm 103:1-14
The heart of God, as revealed in this psalm of David, demonstrates that when we turn away from sin toward him in repentance, we are promised forgiveness. All our sins are removed as far away “as the east is from the west” (v. 12, NIV). Our heavenly Father’s compassion toward us brings healing, renewal, grace, and great love.
I have learned from David’s psalms, as well as from wise teachers and personal experience, that the best remedy for a dark day is praise. When we are angry, sorrowful, anxious, repentant, or even rebellious, praising God helps turn our hearts away from the darkness and toward him and “all his benefits” (v. 2). Praising God changes our perspective. Praise helps us turn from what is temporal to what is eternal. Praising God reminds us that even when we are headed in the wrong direction, forgiveness is waiting for us as soon as we turn around.
Prayer
God, thank you for your forgiveness and for your great love for me. Turn my heart to praise you today for all the wonderful gifts you give us. Amen.
Turn To Obey
Tuesday, September 15
Psalm 103:15-22
Most two-year-olds have a rebellious streak. Some are deterred from acting out by “the look” from a parent or guardian. Some disobey when parents aren’t looking; others blatantly defy authority. Like a two-year-old, I, too, often go about my day without considering God’s watchful eye.
In reflecting on the theme of turning away from sin and toward Christ this week, I realized that all turns require a pause. In this passage, the phrase “remember to obey” (v. 18) stood out to me. We pause in order to remember something. We slow down to turn in a new direction. Sometimes turning requires a full stop. So when God says his love is with those who remember to obey, I think he is reminding me to turn to him often, to pause, pray, and listen. Because when I pause long enough to turn toward Jesus, he helps me obey.
Prayer
Lord, obedience requires that we turn away from temptation and toward righteousness. Help me pause to pray, listen, and obey you throughout the day. Amen.
Turn To Love
Wednesday, September 16
Romans 13:8-10
Debt in America (i.e., national, student, credit card debt, etc.) has grown exponentially since 2000. When money or resources are borrowed, it is with the intention that they will be repaid. In today’s passage, Paul agrees that we should leave no debt outstanding, but then he says Christians have a continuous debt to love one another.
Loving others isn’t always easy. Love the person who cut you off in line? The politician with whom you disagree? The bully in your child’s classroom? We owe love to them too. Loving others is impossible without the Holy Spirit. We can’t love by following rules (the law), by willpower (human nature), or even by a moral code. We allow the Spirit to produce our love for others. When we take time to turn toward individuals with the eyes of Christ, we see children created in God’s image. We listen to their stories and act toward them in loving ways, even when we don’t feel like it. That is the love of Christ that fulfills the law.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, create in me a clean heart that is open to seeing Christ in everyone I meet today. Make me willing to love others as you love me. Amen.
Turn To The Light
Thursday, September 17
Romans 13:11-14
God created sunflowers and other flowering plants to follow the path of the sun from east to west throughout the day. This is called positive heliotropism. Once the plant knows where the light is, it moves more of its growth hormone to the shady side of the stem, causing that side to stretch more than the sunny side. The result is that the plant bends toward the light.
Like a sunflower, when we turn toward the Light of the world, we grow closer to him. We become more like him and are more attractive to the world. The more time we spend with Jesus, absorbing his light, the less desire we have for deeds of darkness (v. 12). In addition, that armor of light gives us strength to fight temptations of the flesh (v. 14). In what situation do you need to turn toward Jesus today? How can you practice following Christ’s light daily?
Prayer
Light of the world, help me to become more like you, to grow in faith, and to share your light with those around me. Amen.
Turn To Humility
Friday, September 18
Matthew 18:1-10
In first-century Jewish society, children were of little importance. Yet the child in this passage came when Jesus called and was placed among the disciples. “Be humble like this child,” he said (v. 4, NRSVUE). After all, this is Jesus’s character too. “And being found in human form, [Jesus] humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Humility is not natural for humans who prefer self-importance and gratifying our own desires. Yes, sin is part of the earthly kingdom, but even maiming one’s body or tying millstones around one’s neck (vv. 8–9) cannot keep us from sinning. It is only when we become humble like a child that we can enter the kingdom of heaven. When we turn toward humility, the result is complete dependence on God, submission to his will, and glory for God.
Prayer
Jesus, help me to become humble, to submit to your will, and to give glory to you. Amen.
Turn To Listen
Saturday, September 19
Matthew 18:15-20
When our family purchased a small business in 2025, we created a “Family Agreement” to plan for potential issues such as financial decisions and family changes. These types of issues can also cause problems in churches because neither families nor churches are perfect communities. Jesus understood this and gave us a way to address sin within the church.
Addressing sin in ourselves or others is unpleasant, but the goal is always reconciliation, first with God and then with others. Reconciliation requires genuine listening—to God, to those who may have been wronged, and to wise counsel. The truth may be painful, but when we turn to listen with open minds and repentant hearts, we clear a path to forgiveness and restoration.
Prayer
Lord, help me to confess my sins and listen to those I may have hurt.
Make our church a community of forgiveness and reconciliation. Amen.
