LIFTER OF MY HEAD

But thou, O Lord,

art a shield for me;

my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Psalm 3:3 kjv

FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, when your shoulders are drooping, and your heart is heavy, look to Me. Life is filled with ordinary days, but I can make them extraordinary if you let Me. I care about your concerns. I will not only lift your eyes toward heaven, so you can get a glimpse of My glory, but I will also lift the burdens of your heart. Trust Me.

A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
Morning by morning, Lord, You lift me high above the cares of my world, far beyond the enemies of fear, depression, rejection, and discouragement. With pride and satisfaction, I can see on a clear day forever—a sneak preview of my permanent heavenly place with You. Thank You, Lord, for visions of hope.

SIMPLE TRUTH

Looking up always gives us a fresh perspective.

For more from Rebecca, please visit www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com

God Gave

Are you following the truth? God gave us many things to help us discover the truth. Let’s take a look at some of them.

God gave us a brain. He expects us to use it. Isaiah 1:18 NKJV says “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool”. Psalm 34:8 NKJV tells us to taste and see the Lord is good.

God gave us His word. Psalm 68:11 says “The Lord gave the word”. He expects us to study it and discover His truth like the Bereans did in Acts 17:11 NKJV “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” In addition, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV tells us “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

God gave His Son to die for us. Psalm 53:3 NKJV says “Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.” Romans 6:23 NKJV says “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Through one man, Adam, sin entered mankind. Another man, the Son of God, paid the price for our sin so we wouldn’t have to (Romans 5:12-17). John 14:6 NKJV says “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

God gave His Holy Spirit to those who believe in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for their sins. First Corinthians 2:14 tell us the natural man thinks the things of God are foolishness and he can not know them for they are spiritually discerned. John 16:13 NKJV says “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” The Spirit is given so we might know the things that have been given to us freely by God (1 Corinthians 2:12).

So are you ready? Are you ready to use your brain, receive His Word, accept His sacrifice for your sins and receive His Holy Spirit?

Step into God’s glorious truth today. Today is the day of Salvation. If you haven’t received Jesus as your Savior, pray something like this:

Jesus, I believe the Word of God. I now understand I am not saved by my own goodness. Please come into my life and make my sins as white as wool. Give me your Holy Spirit to lead me in all truth. In your name I pray. Amen.

© Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions and has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word. For more devotions, bible studies and a recommended book store, visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com today.

Nothing But

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Hebrews 9 Jeremiah 51-52

Nothing But

Jeremiah 51-52, Hebrews 9
Key Verse: Hebrews 9:12

The glass doors, front windows, display cases or even cash registers of stores tell us the variety of ways we can pay for our purchases-VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, checks and cash. Some retailers also have a coupon program or voucher system, maybe a card filled with stamps. Options abound.

That is the way it is at gas stations, department stores, restaurants and other places of business, but not the way it is in regard to salvation. In the words of the old hymn, it is "nothing but the blood of Jesus" that can make the payment for our debt of sin.

This chapter of Hebrews draws our attention to what Jesus has done for us. It especially reminds us that we are not saved by His life or by His example but by His shed blood. We also must remember that salvation is nothing in or of ourselves but is totally of Him. Again, as a songwriter put it, "Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling." As this chapter says, "He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption" (6:12).

While some people might want to turn away from this imagery, preferring instead to focus on Jesus' life and example, we must remember that it is by His death, burial and resurrection that we are saved. Again, quoting from a modern writer, "We had a debt we could not pay; He paid a debt that He did not owe."

"Thank You, God, for my salvation. It is a gift given freely to me but one that was purchased at great price. I thank You for the shed blood of Jesus."

The Power of Inward Perception

Bayless Conley

In Acts chapter 27 we find a familiar story laden with truth. The story takes place when the apostle Paul was boarding a prisoner ship bound for Rome...

Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives." Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.

And you know the rest of the story! They were lost at sea... and the storm was so fierce and unrelenting that the sun, moon, and stars didn't appear for many days. It seemed like any hope they had of being saved was lost.

Notice that Paul had said, "Men, I perceive..." Was his perception based on his experience as a sailor? No! He wasn't a seasoned sailor, he was a scholar. That's why the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and owner of the ship. The helmsman, he's the expert! The owner, he's the authority!

So the centurion followed the direction of the helmsman and owner of the boat, and when all the circumstances lined up and it seemed like the door opened with just the right weather, they set sail.

Even so, Paul had a check in his spirit about setting sail that day. He had an inward perception. He didn't get it from anything around him. He didn't get it from the majority on the boat... he didn't get it from the experts who knew all about sailing... and he didn't get it from his circumstances.

But what he perceived ended up being right, even though it contradicted sound reason. Why was it right? Because the check... the perception... Paul had inside was from the Holy Spirit!

Now, there's a great lesson you and I can take from this story. That lesson is this: There comes a time in your walk with God when faith and reason will part company.

I think anyone who's walked with God any amount of time would agree with this! Some things of God are unreasonable. Some of His ways just don't make sense to us when we look at them from a human perspective.

For example...

• Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you." But that doesn't make sense! If I give it, I've got less.
• Proverbs 11:24 says, "There is one who scatters, yet increases more." That's like backwards math!

Yet as unreasonable as these things may sound, they're true.

Friend, I can guarantee that in your walk with God, you will come to many such crossroads in your life. Thank God reason will often help you. But there will come a time when reason will go cross-grained to God's ways. And it's in those times you need to follow Him!

So let me ask you, do you have something going on inside you today... some kind of perception that you need to take action on? Maybe that check in your spirit is related to a relationship you have with someone other than your spouse that you know is inappropriate... and that still, small voice is telling you to break it off.

Or maybe you sense that your child is keeping something from you... and that inner perception is urging you to ask them about it. Or perhaps it's even that you're thinking about making that investment... but that check in your spirit is telling you to hold off.

Whatever it is, that inward agitation just might be the Holy Spirit trying to communicate with you. If so, I urge you to listen to that inward compulsion of the Holy Spirit today... and follow through with obedience to Him!

Tried and True

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Psalm 119:137-144

Tried and True

Read Psalm 119:137-144

Whenever we buy appliances, we want a guarantee that they're going to work efficiently. So we look for those special seals of approval that indicate the product has been tested. Similarly, when we buy food at the store, we want to be sure that the ingredients are safe for consumption.

God's Word has been tested and found true. It is guaranteed. "Your word is very pure [refined]; therefore Your servant loves it" (v. 140). It has gone through the furnace. Gold ore is put into a furnace to be tested. The assayer wants to know if it's really gold; likewise with silver. As we read through the Bible and through Church history, we find that the Word of God also has been through the fire. Abraham tested it and found that it was true. He left his home without knowing where he was going, but he had the Word of God, and God saw him through. Moses also tested the Word of God during those 40 years in the wilderness. Furthermore, when we read the Psalms, we see the furnaces that David went through. What was he doing? Testing the Word of God.

The Bible has been tested and has passed the test. Therefore, it can be trusted. It's pure, void of falsehoods. All the people who have trusted the Lord throughout history can say, "You can lean upon the Word of God."

* * *

Have you tested the Word of God in your own life? You may be going through the furnace right now. If so, remember that one reason you endure such difficulties is so you will discover that the Word of God is pure, refined and trustworthy. Test the Word for yourself and find that it is true.

The Answer Book

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference 2 Timothy 3:16 Matthew 4:4 Psalm 119:121-128

The Answer Book

Read Psalm 119:121-128

I have a large library, and I've written a few books myself, but I cannot point to the books I've written or collected and say that everything in them is absolutely right. In fact, I've been embarrassed to find typographical, factual or other kinds of errors in the ones I've written. Only one book can carry an unqualified endorsement, and that is the Word of God. That's why the psalmist writes, "Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way" (v. 128). All of the Bible is inspired. That means it is God-breathed. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable" (II Tim. 3:16). Inspiration is a miracle. The Spirit of God spoke through Moses, Isaiah, Matthew, Mark, Paul and others, and each put his own fingerprints on what he wrote. Yet this is God's Word.

Remember also that all of God's Word is inerrant. It is absolute truth. What the Bible says about history is correct. What the Bible says about prophecy is correct. Even what it says about science is correct, although it's not a science book. We don't test the Bible by the wisdom of men. We test the wisdom of men by the Bible. This means that we should live by all of Scripture. Jesus said we must live "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Every word. Oh, what you might be missing if you are not reading the whole Word of God! Because the Bible is inspired and true, we can go to it and say, "Lord, what should I do?" He has an answer for us.

* * *

The Bible is a miracle, for it is inspired by God. Live by its wisdom and truth. It leads to a miraculous life when you accept and obey it.

Psalm 73

Daniel Corey Devotions

Psalm 73:25 b “…Besides You, I desire nothing on earth.”

One day, I hope to do a complete exposition and sermon series on this Psalm, but today let us focus on just one small gem that holds within it such profound implications. This verse forces us to ask one question which perhaps is so forward, so obvious, so outright that you might not have caught it. The question we ask our selves when we read this verse is, “Could I say that? Is that true about me?” The Psalmist says that besides the Lord, all things that lie outside of the boundaries of our beautiful Savior Jesus, all other pursuits, wants, longings, desires, passions, distractions, possessions, people, all things that are not Christ have no appeal to me! I don’t even want them! This verse is saying, “Lord I have searched my heart carefully, I have looked in the deepest parts of it and I have found that not only are You all that I need, You are all that I desire! You are all that I want! The world and all of the passing pleasures that fill it and assault my heart in attempt to get me to desire them hold no ground here Lord, because You have both filled and satisfied me, and I long for no other water but Yours.” This verse causes us to look deep into our hearts, deep into our desires and thoughts and ask, “Do I desire anything but Christ?” If you do, the Bible has a word for that, it’s called idolatry. The Lord often said that Israel did the right actions, but their hearts, their desires, were far from God. Don’t be deceived, your desires, if not focused purely on God, is idolatry.

I wanted this devotional to be shorter, so that you have time to sit and think and examine your heart. Let’s close in prayer.

“Father, you know my heart, my desires, whether evil or good. You are not fooled like everyone else, you see who I am inside. Lord, forgive me for only giving you intellectual ascent, for stopping short of honoring you with my thoughts and desires as well as my actions. Don’t let me fall into the darkness of this world and it’s lies, but keep my foot firmly planted on the rock of Truth. Jesus, be the center of my desires. Help me to search out those desires that are not for You and give me the strength to put them out of my life. Continuously encourage me to put off those worldly things I desire, no matter how seemingly minor, and help me to put on desires for You and renew my heart and my thoughts with your Word. Help me to be constantly thankful for the sacrifice that You made on my behalf. I thirst to be made more thirsty and I hunger to be made more hungry still. Grant me the courage to fight for the pure desire of You, so that I might please you and might be made more into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in Who’s name I pray, Amen.”

TRUE TRUTH

“Prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” 2 Peter 1:21

Remember the days of the multivolume encyclopedia? Not long ago nearly every home had a set gathering dust on the bookcase.

Not anymore, thanks to computer technology. Research materials are now condensed into easily searchable CD-ROMs. And the unprecedented growth of the Internet gives us a staggering amount of information, literally at our fingertips.

One of the most interesting variants is “Wikipedia”—a completely online, free encyclopedia compiled by contributions from its users. It can be a helpful, fascinating source of information, but somehow the idea of everyone contributing their “two cents” to an article makes me a little uneasy about using that information as a primary source of authority and reliability.

Hopefully you are not among them, but some skeptics view the Bible as if it were compiled like a Wikipedia article. With more than 40 contributing authors spanning several centuries, they say, it cannot be completely accurate. But Scripture sets the record straight. There is only one author. Peter wrote, “Prophecy never had its origin in the will of man” (2 Peter 1:21). In other words, we are not reading the mere thoughts of Moses, David, Isaiah, Paul, or Peter. Rather, the words of the Bible come directly from God, put to paper by men “as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Which means that we find incredible unity, clarity, and commonality flowing through the Old and New Testaments. The truths expressed in Daniel’s writing from the palace courts of Babylon are mirrored in John’s words from the isle of Patmos, hundreds of years later. The themes of God’s character, of man’s rebellion, and of God’s glorious plan of redemption wind their way through each page. Further additions, revisions, or retractions are unthinkable and unnecessary because God’s Word is confidently complete.

If what you need is a quick glance at the history of jazz music, the opinions and perspectives offered in Wikipedia might be helpful. But, if you’re looking for meaning and purpose and the answers to life’s deepest questions, a multiplicity of conflicting opinions won’t help.

Thank God that He has given us what we need for every challenge and crossroad of life as His clear and trustworthy voice speaks to us through His Word!

YOUR JOURNEY…

• What are the dangers of treating God’s Word like Wikipedia?
• How does your view of the authority of God’s Word affect your commitment to live by it?
• How are the themes of God’s Word tied together between the Old and New Testaments?
  

Whatever God Requires, He Provides

Whatever God Requires, He Provides

Austin Pryor

When God planned for Abraham to be the "father of many nations," He miraculously provided a son in Isaac. When God commanded Abraham to offer his only son as a sacrifice, He provided a substitute that He found acceptable in Isaac's place. Abraham called the mountain "Jehovah jireh," that is, "God will provide" (Genesis 22:13-14).

The life of Abraham is a striking example of a basic truth of the Christian life that Susie and I learned many years ago. It has greatly encouraged us in our daily walk with God and the choices we make. It is this: God can absolutely be counted on to provide all the means necessary in order for us to obey His commands or carry out His plans. In other words, He knows exactly what resources we need to stay in His will, and He always makes them available.

Searching through Scripture for occasions of this aspect of God's generosity makes for a great Bible study -- it is interesting and also very faith-strengthening. Here are a few to get you started:

When God planned for the children of Israel to go down into Egypt, He sent Joseph ahead in order to provide for them (Genesis 50:19-21). When God planned for the children of Israel to come out of Egypt, He sent Moses to provide the way. When Moses said he wouldn't know what to say, God provided Aaron to be the spokesman (Exodus 3:7-4:17). And when God required that a temple be built in His honor, He provided the means with which to build it (1 Chronicles 29:14-16).

Susie and I refer to this principle as "whatever God requires, He provides." I am mindful of this principle as seen demonstrated in Hebrews 1:3: "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven" (emphasis added). When God's righteousness required purification for our sins, He provided Christ as our Savior.

And as wonderful as that was, He didn't stop there. God continues to this very day providing each of us with the very best -- Himself. His Spirit lives in us, strengthening and empowering us to obey His commands. That's why God's requirement that we "be holy as He is holy" is completely reasonable. Consider:

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

"He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful" (1 Corinthians 1:8-9).

"Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:22-24).

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13).

In light of God's faithfulness, may we not grieve His great Father's heart with our sin-not merely because of the damage it does in our lives, which can be devastating, but even more importantly, because it demeans and devalues God's awesome gift of Himself. Let us rely on His strength, being mindful and thankful that whatever God requires, He provides.

"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Helping People Have the Assurance of Salvation

Helping People Have the Assurance of Salvation

John Piper

Full assurance is God's will for us. "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end" Hebrews 6:11.

Assurance is partially sustained by objective evidences for Christian truth. "To [his apostles] He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days" Acts 1:3.

Assurance cannot neglect the painful work of self-examination. "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Assurance will diminish in the presence of concealed sin. "When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long" Psalm 32:3.

Assurance comes from hearing the Word of Christ. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" Romans 10:17.

"These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name" John 20:31.

Repeated focusing on the sufficiency of the cross of Christ is crucial for assurance. "Since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith" Hebrews 10:21-22.

We must pray for eyes to see the truths that sustain assurance. "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe" Ephesians 1:18-19.

Assurance is not easily maintained in personal isolation. "And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'" 1 Corinthians 12:21.

Assurance is not destroyed by God's displeasure and discipline. "Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness" Micah 7:8-9.

We must often wait patiently for the return of assurance. "I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD" Psalm 40:1-3.

Assurance is a fight to the day we die. "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life" 1 Timothy 6:12.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7.

Assurance is finally a gift of the Spirit. "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God" Romans 8:16.

"The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself... And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son" 1 John 5:10-11.

Longing for your assurance,

Pastor John

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org.

Caring for Your Conscience

In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley

Caring for Your Conscience -- 1 Timothy 1:5

Every one of us at times faces a decision that tests our character. When a choice conflicts with our value system, the "first responder" is our conscience. However, even this divine gift has been exposed to our fallen world's programming, which means we must not only reorient but also fortify our "inner compass."

The strength of our conscience depends on both truth and tradition, and these in turn are impacted by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives:

• Truth. Since Jesus declared He is the truth, maintaining a close relationship with Him through prayer and obedience strengthens our conscience. Both the Holy Spirit and the Word of God play vital roles in this growth process. The Spirit of Truth, as Jesus identified the third Person of the Trinity, is also known as "the Helper." The Spirit doesn't just assist us in discerning righteousness from sin; He also teaches us and guides us into all truth. (John 14:17, 26; 16:8, 13).

• Tradition. Joseph and David are two godly examples for us. Both faced grave temptation but allowed their conscience to guide them in honoring God. At great personal cost, Joseph rejected the advances of Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39). And David, though initially choosing to humiliate Saul, let his conscience get him back on track (1 Samuel 24:5-7).

We can rely on God's Spirit to help us develop a better conscience. He has given us everything we need for the task, which is essential if we are to live a godly life.

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