The Jeff Cavins Show (Your Catholic Bible Study Podcast) - Scripture at the Turning Point

Episode Date: September 19, 2025

Our lives are marked by turning points. Jeff discusses significant turning points in life, both personal and historical, with a focus on the ultimate turning point — the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Amidst the current chaotic events and news, Jeff shares a message of hope and encouragement, urging us to find solace in God's word. Email us with comments or questions at [e-mail]. Text “jeffcavins” to 33-777 to subscribe and get Jeff’s shownotes delivered straight to your email! Or visit https://media.ascensionpress.com/?s=&page=2&category%5B0%5D=Ascension%20Podcasts&category%5B1%5D=The%20Jeff%20Cavins%20Show for full shownotes!

Welcome to the Jeff Kavens show, where we talk about the Bible, discipleship, and evangelization, putting it all together in living as activated disciples. This is show 448, Scripture, at the turning point. Well, what a week it has been, right? I'm Jeff Kavans. Thank you for joining me again this week. every week we try to bring hope and bring the word of God to you, you know, in the midst of everything that's going on and my, my, are things going on? It's been really wild lately in the

news. And of course, Charlie Kirk is on the minds of most people right now. It's in the news and people are talking about it. And what a revival is taking place around the country right now. And it doesn't seem to be following exactly denominational lines. It's everybody. It's, it's It's Protestants. It's non-denominational Christians. It's, it's Catholics. There's just something happening right now. And truly what happened to Charlie Kirk was, quote, unquote, a turning point, was a turning point. And I got to thinking a lot, you know, about this idea of turning points in the last week, Annunciation, the school Annunciation in the Twin Cities, a couple weeks before that, where two youngsters were killed by a shooter.

So the turning point, you know, I started thinking about this, that the ultimate turning point, the ultimate turning point was the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. That's the ultimate turning point. When the Lord gave his life for the sins of the world and something was ignited, there was a spiritual explosion that took place. But we also see these other explosions throughout history, explosions meaning these movements, of the Holy Spirit that causes people to give their lives to the Lord, to repent, and to turn from their ways, and say, I'm done with all of that darkness. I'm turning to the light. I'm turning to the gospel now. And certainly, right after Jesus, the biggest one was the stoning of Stephen. And it was at that point when they thought they were going to destroy Stephen, that a revival broke out. And the

gospel began to spread in such a powerful way. And that was what the enemy's plan was for Jesus. If they could stop Jesus, then they could stop the movement. And that was happening both on a human level with the leadership in Jerusalem, but it was happening on a spiritual level at the same time with the devil and his minions who wanted to stop Jesus. But oh, what a mistake that was. what a mistake that was from their side but for us it meant life and life eternal and so that's something that i'm keeping in mind right now with charlie kirk and his wife and children and the response that's going on around around the country unprecedented really you know and it is a turning point a turning point and hopefully everybody in their life will have a turning point

where they turn from what is killing them they turn from what is in dark and he turned from what is false to truth and to life, into liberty and freedom, family, marriage, love, tenderness, mercy, kindness. And in times like this, we turn the TV on, you get an idea of where people's hearts are at. Are they tender? Are they kind? Are they loving, understanding? Or do they keep hammering away and put politics over humanity?

So I wanted to spend a few minutes with you today, and I wanted to encourage you. There's going to be a lot that said this weekend is going to be a big memorial in Phoenix for Charlie Kurt. But I want to share with you what I can share with you that will bring encouragement, and that's the Word of God. And so I have a number of scriptures that I want to share with you and just kind of extrapolate a little bit on each one as a means of encouragement right now. because I know a lot of people feel discouraged, I think. I know there's a sense of discouragement at one level, but I've got to tell you, life and encouragement and hope seems to be rising in people's lives and parishes

and people around the country. When the enemy tries to raise his head, righteousness, all the more, and perfect love casts out fear. So that's what I'd like to do. By the way, if you do want the scriptures, I have them all written out for you. If you want them, you can get them absolutely free. All you have to do is text my name, Jeff Kavens.

One word, Jeff Kavins. That's J-E-F-F-C-A-V-I-N-S. texted to the number 3-3-777-3-7. Let's see, I've got about 12 verses or so I want to share with you just to encourage you today. I know sometimes you can say things. Other times you can just listen to God's Word. marinate in it and allow him to minister to you, allow him to give you that hope. You know we have hope as an anchor for the soul, right?

Hope as an anchor for the soul. But there's an interesting thing about that, though, and let me just preface these scriptures by sharing this with you. Hope, like faith, does not stand alone. Faith alone is not a biblical teaching. It's not. James even says, you are not saved by faith alone. there is the works, not the works of the law, but the response, the doing of God's word,

the doing what you believe, that's faith. And in the same way, there is no such thing as hope alone. No, hope is always attached to faith and charity. Now, faith, hope, and charity are the three theological virtues that you received at baptism. You did. If you got baptized, you got them. it's a matter of what you do with them but listen faith and hope and charity all work together like a fusion it's like a symbiotic atmosphere where they work with each other it's a beautiful

thing and when you walk in love when you walk in in charity when you walk in love by faith trusting in god the result is hope in your life and that hope grows more and more and more and your hope for the future is not based on your perspective or your limited knowledge, your limited wisdom, your limited strength, your limited resources. Your hope for the future is not just some kind of psychic thing or some kind of mental posturing. It is something that acts as a foundation for your heart, and it is based not on your resources, but God's resources, God's vision, God's wisdom, is unlimited. knowledge. That's where our hope is. And hope does not disappoint, scripture says. So I just want to

encourage you. So let's do this, shall we? Let's take a look at a couple scriptures here. Your future. Some people say, what is this world we're growing up in? We're raising kids in this world today. This seems crazy. What can we expect for our children in the future? Well, let's look at that, shall we? In the midst of one of Israel in the Old Testament, one of their more difficult times, Jeremiah spoke the Word of God, and what did he say? What did he say to Israel who was really struggling? He said this. This is Jeremiah 29-11, and as I'm giving them to you, and maybe making a comment here and there, just ask, make it a prayer, make this week's show a prayer to take the Word of God and apply it to your life. Bring it into your heart, allow it to

marinate. Allow it to sink in deeply. Allow it to go from your ears to your heart and then you respond to Jesus saying, I believe you. I'm going to walk in that. Okay. Nice exercise for this week. A little bit different, but timely. The future. Jeremiah 29-11 says, for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil. To give you a future. and a hope. Sometimes we can hear that verse in the most difficult of times, the most treacherous of news and ask ourselves, how can this possibly be? But you know what? It can. Even in the darkest hour, even in the biggest disappointment of your life, God declares, I have plans for your welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope. And so our response is, Lord, show me that future.

I am going to walk in that hope. I trust you. with all of my heart. 2 Corinthians chapter 4 versus 16 and 17, Paul had something to say, he said, so we do not lose heart. And I would just encourage you, my friend, don't lose heart in all the midst of this news. Don't lose heart. It's God we're looking to. So we do not lose heart.

Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. for this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Now, that's pretty wild because I know that even as I read that to you for this slight momentary affliction, you might have been thinking to yourself, well, what I'm going through or what the Kirk family went through was not a momentary slight affliction. No, but if you were to compare all of this, to eternal glory, then I imagine that this would be on that side of eternity in heaven looking back a slight momentary affliction, not to speak lightly of anything that's been going on in all these tragedies in America recently. But it is compared to what we're going through

compared to the weight of glory that's being prepared for us, this is beyond comparison. I believe that. I really do. Do you believe that? Do you believe that everything that you're going through in your life right now that when it's all said and done and you're standing there in heaven, looking into the eyes of Jesus, everything will have been a slight momentary affliction?

I believe that. I think deep downside you probably do as well. So that's the second one. That's 2 Corinthians 4, 16, and 17. And the third one is Psalm 182. Psalm 182, the Psalm is says, the Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

That is a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful way to put it, isn't it? Psalm 182, the Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my strong. wronghold. Paul goes on, and he's got more to say, Paul says in Romans 828, we know that in everything, God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. Now, I have stood on that scripture, and what I mean by stood or stand on that scripture, it means that that's where I'm going to live. That's what it means to stand on these scriptures. I'm going to live there. I'm going to take that in and not just intellectual

agree, but I'm going to say, I'm going to, I'm going to entrust myself to this, that I know, I'll just read it a different way, I'll read it personally. Maybe you can read it personally, too, or listen. I know that in everything that I experience in my life, God is working for me, because I'm called according to his purpose, and that all things are going to work together for the good. I know that. I know that. Everything God works together for the good, for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. You can trust. You really can.

Paul also said to the Philippians in chapter 4 and verse 19, probably one of the most quoted verses of all time. And when people decide they're going to memorize scripture, oftentimes this is one of the first that they memorize. That's Philippians 419. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. So given everything that's going on in the world today, all the difficult news that we are in some ways forced to look at and consume,

I know this, the God will supply every need of yours, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. And finally, under this idea of the future, the writer of Hebrews chapter 10 in verse 23 said, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful. I got more for you, more scriptures to encourage you today, but right now we're going to take a break. You're listening to the Jeff Kaven show.

Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz, and I'm excited to announce that I'll be hosting season four of the Catholic Classics podcast from Ascension Press. This year, we'll read through the imitation of Christ by Thomas Acampus and unpack the timeless wisdom and profound spiritual lessons laid out in this book. You guys, the imitation of Christ is the second most widely read Catholic devotional ever written only behind the Bible. And so many saints have read this book, so many people have been inspired to imitate the life and teachings of Jesus through this podcast. You will learn what it means to imitate Christ and how we can do that in a world that seems to only want to pull us away from him. Starting October 22nd in the Ascension app,

we'll read a section of the book every single day and then unpack what it means and how it applies to our lives today. If you'd like to join me, you can download the reading plan for this series by visiting ascensionpress.com slash Catholic Classics. I'll see you on October 22nd in the Ascension app, and God bless. Thank you. Thank you for coming back.

I appreciate it. You know, I've said this before. I'll say it again, and I'll probably say it again in the future. I think of you all week. and I'm always asking myself, Lord, what should I share this week? What can I share? And this is part of the outcome. I pray about it and I just really believe that the Lord can put things on our hearts

to share with other people. And I hope this is a blessing to you. By the way, if it is, will you share the Ascension app with your friends? Because now my show is on the Ascension app. And that's very easy to share with people. Will you do that? Just share with maybe three or four people this week. I would appreciate that.

you and I can work together. We're family, we're a team, and what are the odds of you and I were going to be born and living on the earth at the same time? Probably pretty small, but it happened. Okay, so there's also this whole issue of suffering, and I want to share with you just a few verses on suffering and what the scriptures say about suffering. Now, the basis of suffering is this.

I'll just lay it down really easy, and that is this, that the scriptures tell us in Colossians 124, I rejoice in my suffering for your sake, and I fill up in my body that which is lacking in the sufferings of Christ. Now, that's pretty wild, isn't it? Colossians 124. I rejoice in my suffering for your sake. This is what Paul's saying.

And I fill up in my body, that which is lacking in the sufferings of Christ. Now, what could possibly be lacking in the sufferings? of Christ. What is lacking in the sufferings of Christ is the suffering of the mystical body of Christ. Why do we do any suffering at all if he suffered for the sins of the world? And then the answer is from John Paul II, in order that you might come to know the love of God, to taste it, to feel it, to know it, he has made room in his suffering for you to experience it. This is what we call taking up your cross, picking up your cross, not picking out your cross, but picking up your cross

and following him. Okay, that's the basis here for these scriptures I want to share with you. 2 Corinthians 12, 9 and 10, but he said to me, Paul's saying this, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. I will all the more gladly boast of my weakness that the power of Christ may rest upon me for the sake of Christ then I am content with weaknesses insults hardships persecutions and calamities I'll get this he says this this is in verse 10 are you ready for when I am weak then I am strong wowsy that is just amazing when I'm weak then I'm strong this is a different kind of kingdom isn't it? How about this? Paul said to the Corinthians in 1st Corinthians 1558. Therefore,

my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Sometimes you can think it is, right? You think, oh, why am I doing this? Why are we doing this? Why do we teach your children? Why are we sending them to parochial school? Why, why? It's not in vain. Not in Christ. It's not in vain. Paul's saying this to you. He say, hey, beloved, be steadfast. Be immovable. Always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, your labor is not in vain. A couple other things here under suffering. Let's stick with Paul for a moment. He said to the Romans in chapter 8, verses 38 and 39, and this is for your hope. This is for your encouragement today, okay? That's what this show

today is all about, is encouraging you. For I am sure, Paul says. that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. That is very, very powerful. I'm glad I'm giving all these to you. All you got to do is get the show notes and you're going to have them all. meditate on them, marinate in them, put them into practice, put them on.

So, 1st Peter 314, but even if you do suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them nor be troubled. That is such a powerful verse. Peter talks about this, but even if you do suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed, have no fear of them, nor be troubled. Beautiful. one more category here actually two but they're both pretty short i wanted to give you a few bonus scriptures here what about fatigue are you tired do you feel like wow there's so much going on emotionally

i feel spent physically i feel spent spiritually spent what do we do right well i would recommend with all my heart to wait upon the lord to wait upon the lord spend some time in adoration spend some time in his words, spend some time taking a walk, don't put your phone on, don't put those earbuds in, just spend some time with the Lord and talk to the Lord. Allow him to comfort you by his very presence. One of the greatest sources of strength for me came from Isaiah the prophet, and he said this at a very pivotal time. You see, Isaiah is divided up into two different basic books you have the the book of woes chapters 1 through 39 in chapter 40 on the book of consolation it's going to be consolation and it's in chapter 40 in verse 31 that we have this next verse now listen to

this and as you listen there's a word in here that i'm not sure you know what the origin is so i'm going to share it with you here's how it goes isaiah 40 31 but they who wait for the lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint. Isn't that beautiful? It's the first line that I want to draw your attention to,

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. Now, when we read that, and I say, they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, a lot of people will start thinking, well, okay, I'm waiting. I'm waiting. Not doing much, but I'm waiting. and a week later, still waiting.

Well, when we talk about those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, we're not talking about crossing your arms, leaning against a pole and saying, I'll just stand here until something happens. That's not what we're talking about here at all. Why do I say that? Because in English it says, but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. But that word wait in Hebrew is the word kikva.

Tikva. Tikva is the national anthem of Israel. Tikvaa in Hebrew means hope. Those who hope for the Lord shall renew their strength. Hope is active, not passive. Hope is active. You are entrusting yourself. You are forcing yourself to meditate upon this and then entrust yourself to it and take the appropriate steps going forward. It's not empty waiting.

It's not like sitting in a doctor's waiting room and doing absolutely. nothing. Those who hope for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint. And then here, Psalm 168, I keep the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand and I shall not be moved. That's a good one to stand on, isn't it? I love it. One more for you. And I would call this one the sky's the limit whatever you're facing the difficulties that you have been experiencing the discouragement that has enveloped you we can break out of that we can go forward we can we're walking with jesus this isn't the end the game is not over god is moving he has a plan

of sheer goodness and in luke 137 i'm going to put this in the notes for you it says for with God, nothing will be impossible. Nothing will be impossible. That's the arena I choose to live in. That's the camp I'm living in. Those are the people I belong to. That's the church that sustains me. Or with God, nothing will be impossible. Can I pray for you? In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus, I lift up my friend to you right now. and all that they're going through in their own life and all they're experiencing vicariously through the tragedies in our country we commit ourselves to you we ask you lord jesus with all of our

heart to surround us fill us give us wisdom give us knowledge consolation we put our trust in you today we love you with all of our heart and we thank you for your word that does not return void but it will accomplish that which you purpose. Lord, accomplish your purpose in my life today. In Jesus' name, amen. I love you. I really do. God bless you.

Look forward to talking to you next week.