Today's Devotional

Turn Around

May 12, 2026 ●

By Pastor Jerry A. Burns

Luke 15:20

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."

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I remember hearing the story behind the movie The Blind Side. Sandra Bullock portrayed Leigh Ann Tuohy, a woman whose family opened their home to a struggling young man named Michael Oher. Michael had grown up surrounded by instability, poverty, and hopelessness. One cold November morning, the Tuohy family spotted him walking alone down the road wearing only shorts and a T-shirt. Most people would have simply driven by, perhaps feeling sorry for him for a moment before continuing on with their day.

But Leigh Ann Tuohy looked at her husband and said two simple words: “Turn around.”

Those two words changed everything.

They turned the car around, picked Michael up, brought him into warmth, and eventually welcomed him into their family. What began with a small decision became a life transformed. Michael Oher would eventually become an NFL first-round draft pick, but more importantly, he experienced love, stability, and a family that cared enough to stop and turn around.

As I think about that story, I cannot help but think about how many lives in the Bible changed because someone turned around. The prodigal son came to himself in the far country and decided to turn around and go home to his father. Peter turned back to Christ after denying Him. Jonah turned back toward God after running from His will. So many wonderful stories of grace begin with repentance, humility, and a change of direction.

Sometimes we continue down roads we know are hurting us spiritually. Pride keeps us moving the wrong way. Bitterness keeps us walking farther from peace. Busyness keeps us from prayer. Distractions keep us from God’s Word. Yet the Lord lovingly calls to us again and again: turn around.

I have found that some of the greatest changes in life begin with very small decisions. A decision to pray again. A decision to forgive. A decision to return to church faithfully. A decision to open the Bible once more. A decision to trust Christ fully. What may seem like a simple turn today could become the beginning of an entirely different future tomorrow.

You may feel far away from where you ought to be spiritually, but thank God it is never too late to turn around. One moment of surrender can place you back on the path of grace.

Did this devotional speak to you?

A New Beginning With God

Application

Ask God if there is an area of your life where you need to “turn around.” The Lord is always ready to receive those who come back to Him with humble hearts.

Victory Verse

"It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man." — Psalm 118:8

Additional Verses

"And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

"O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity."

Daily Scripture Reading

Join us as we read through the Bible in one year, growing together in God’s Word day by day. Click on any underlined verse to access Pastor Burns’ helpful study notes and deeper insights.

Standard Plan

Mixed Plan

Chronological Plan

2 Samuel 10-12

John 3:1-15

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

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This Week's Radio Program

Week Eighteen • May 3, 2026

Trust in Him

Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 3)

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In this final part of the message, “Trusting God with Tomorrow,” we are brought face to face with a powerful truth from Scripture—while we often plan our days and assume the future, the Bible teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain, and completely in God’s hands. As James reminds us, our life is “even a vapour” that appears for a little time and then vanishes away . The issue is not planning, but planning without God—living as though we are in control of what only God knows.

This message walks through the heart of biblical trust: having a proper perspective of tomorrow, a humble posture before God today, and a surrendered plan that says, “If the Lord will.” Whether facing uncertainty, fear, or the illusion of control, we are called to draw near to God, rest in His care, and trust that His will is good, even when tomorrow is unknown. Because Christ has risen, our future is secure—not in our plans, but in His perfect hands.

Listen to Past Programs

Trust in Him Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 2) Week Sixteen • Apr 19, 2026