by John Carpenter | Nov 24, 2024 | Devotional
(6) “As ye have therefore received – Christ Jesus the Lord – so Walk ye In Him. (7) Rooted and Built up In Him – and Established – in the Faith – as ye have been taught – Abounding ThereIn with (or, more lit. “In”) Thanksgiving” [Col.2:6-7]
(11) “In Whom also – ye are Circumcised with the circumicision made without hands – In the Putting off the body of the sins of the flesh — In the Circumcision of Christ (12) Buried with Him – In Baptism – WhereIn also – ye are Risen with Him – through – The Faith — of the operation of God, Who hath Raised Him from the dead.” [Col.2:11-12]
“I am crucified With Christ – nevertheless I live — yet not I, but Christ – liveth In me – and the life which I now live In the flesh – I live by the Faith of the Son of God – who loved me and gave Himself for me. (21) I do not frustrate the grace of God – for if Righteousness came by the law – then Christ is dead In vain.” [Gal.2:20-21]
In last month’s devotional we examined the message of the Holy Spirit from Gal.2:16 – which was the fact that – the Faith that saves us – is none other than the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ! Now, this month, we want to see clearly that – it is also the Faith of Christ by which we are clothed with – and by which we walk – day by day – through the deceitful darkness of this world. Hence, the first text listed above clearly states> “As ye have therefore received – Christ Jesus the Lord – so Walk ye In Him. Rooted and built up In Him – and Established – In the Faith – as ye have been taught – Abounding ThereIn with – THANKSGIVING!” [Col.2:6-7] HALLELUJAH!!
Remember last month how we also alluded to 2Cor.13:5? How that from that text we are commanded to Examine ourselves whether we are – “In the Faith”? And, the text goes on to say that we are to “prove” our own selves – “How that Jesus Christ” – is In us – “except” (or, unless) we be “reprobates”(?)! (which is a description of being the “seed of the Serpent” and not the “seed of the Savior”) [see Mt.13:37-39] This is why our obedience to 2Cor.13:5 is so important!
This all boils down to our being diligent and victorious in our battle over our own flesh! The Word of God declares plainly that our own hearts are – “deceitful above all things – and desperately wicked…” [Jer.17:9] This being true about us – what are we to do? We are no match against our own flesh – we (our very souls) are in a desperate and hopeless situation! The answer is once again found in the one and only hope – that is our Savior! Col.2:11-12> “In Whom also – ye are Circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands – In Putting off the body of the sins of the flesh – In the Circumcision of Christ! (12) Buried with Him – In baptism – WhereIn ye are Risen with Him – Through the Faith of the operation of God – Who hath Raised Him from the dead!” If it’s not all Christ – it’s all wrong!! Praise His Holy Name! Yes – even His Circumcision – is the Circumcision – of all the ones that God the Father has given unto God the Son (Who is the Savior Son of man – the Lord Jesus Christ).
This is why we can dogmatically say with the apostle Paul: “I am crucified With Christ – never–theless I live — yet not I, but Christ – liveth In me – and the life which I now live In the flesh – I live by the Faith of the Son of God – who loved me and gave Himself for me. (21) I do not frustrate the Grace of God – for if Righteousness came by the law – then Christ is dead In vain.” [Gal.2:20-21]
And, dear ones, Christ our Wonderful Savior is absolutely not – Dead In Vain!” Amen.
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Oct 16, 2024 | Devotional
“Knowing that a man is not Justified — by the works of the law – but – by the Faith of Jesus Christ – even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be Justified by the Faith of Christ – and not by the works of the law. For by the works of the law – shall no Flesh be Justified!” [Gal.2:16]
(6) “As ye have therefore received – Christ Jesus the Lord – so walk ye in Him. (7) Rooted and built up in Him – and established – in the Faith – as ye have been taught…” [Col.2:6-7]
(11) “In whom also – ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands – in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ – (12) Buried with Him – in baptism – wherein also – ye are risen with Him – through the Faith of the operation of God – who hath raised Him from the dead.” [Col.2:11-12]
What makes a person a true believer – in Jesus Christ? This is not a trick question by any means!
“Knowing” – the very first word of Gal.2:16 shown above – is a Holy Spirit inspired word that tells us a fact that is dogmatically known and understood. And, that fact which we all must absolutely agree with is the absolute truth that every human being – in this fallen-in-sin world – is not “justified” (or declared sinlessly righteous by Holy God) “by” (or more literally “out of”) “the works of the law.” No, not at all! All of us fallen-in-sin sinners – wherever we’re from – or wherever we are – are justified and declared by Holy God as being sinlessly righteous – by the only way that any sinner can be justified – and that’s “by” (or more literally “through”) “the Faith of Jesus Christ.” It’s His faith that we receive by grace from Him – that causes us to believe in Him. And then the apostle Paul goes on and declares more boldly – when he says – “even WE have believed (meaning himself and all the brethren which are with him in writing this letter unto them – they all – he says – have entered into being believers) in Jesus Christ.” And then he states dogmatically Why – he and they have entered into the company of true believers in Jesus Christ – it is in order that they “might be justified by (or “out of”) the Faith of Christ and not out of the works of the law; for out of the works of the law shall no flesh (i.e. no fallen-in-sin flesh – of which we all have) be justified”! {Note: By more accurately translating the prepositions – one truly helps to clarify the real message of Gal.2:16}.
This touches on a point that really needs to be emphasized. The Faith that saves – needs to be awakened and quickened and nurtured and strengthened by the Holy Spirit in us! Heb.12:2 tells us that Jesus is the author and finisher of our Faith – and that’s because – our Faith is His Faith – which, by His grace, He has given and awakened and quickened into Action inside Us! His Faith is – the Faith that God reckons, or imputes Christ’s righteousness unto us – so that His righteousness becomes – our righteousness. (just like He did unto Abraham; see Rom.4:3-5). 2Co.13:5 commands us to constantly be examining ourselves. How? By the Holy Spirit and the Word of God – in order to see whether or not – we are truly – in “the Faith”! We must be diligent to do just that!
Since we have embarked on this particular subject – there is so much more that is gloriously connected with understanding our truly believing in the Lord Jesus Christ – that we will be addressing more of what the above scriptural context has to deliver.
All of this – once again – underscores the fact that where our eternal salvation is concerned – If it’s not all (out of) Christ Jesus (His person and work entirely) – It’s all wrong! Praise His Name! — John Carpenter
“But without Faith it is impossible to please Him. For he that cometh to God – must believe that He is – and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
By Faith Noah – being warned of God of things not seen as yet – moved with fear – prepared an Ark to the saving of his house – by the which he condemned the world – and became heir of the righteousness which is by Faith.” Hebrews 11:6-7
by John Carpenter | Sep 15, 2024 | Devotional
“And Moses said unto the people, fear ye not! Stand still – and see the salvation of the Lord – which He will show to you today! For the Egyptians whom ye have seen today – ye shall see them again – no more forever! (14) The Lord shall fight for you – and ye shall hold your peace” (Ex.14:13-14).
“When I cry unto thee – then shall mine enemies turn back – this I know – for God is for me!… In God have I put my trust. I will not fear what man can do unto me… For thou hast delivered my soul from death – wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling – that I may walk before God in the Light of the Living?” (Ps.56:9,11,13).
All of us who have been quickened and awakened by the Holy Spirit – and the pure Truth of the Word of God – in regards to the eternally redeeming person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ – have become aware of the reality – of the Spiritual Warfare – that has been and still is raging all around us – at all times. If this reality is not being revealed unto us – then it – most likely must be true that – our spiritual quickening and awakening – is still needing to be fulfilled.
When the apostle Paul had his life-changing experience with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6) – little did he realize that his whole life in this world would immediately be changed! After the Lord Jesus came and got him – nothing was ever the same! All that he had learned through his education as a church-going Pharisee – by his own admission (see Phil.3:7-10) became of no value to his saving relationship with the Lord Jesus. Suddenly – the completed work of Christ (as his Kinsman Redeemer) was revealed unto him – and from that moment on – Jesus – became his “all and in all” (Col.3:11). From that moment on – the real spiritual battles that surrounded him on every side – became the focus of his whole world.
This is what is depicted throughout the whole Bible – for ALL of God’s eternally saved ones!
Note the context of the first scripture above from Ex.14:13. The children of Israel had been sur-viving in Egypt for 400 years! Their whole lives in this world was becoming a generational heritage of bond-slavery to the Egyptians! They cried out to God for their deliverance from their oppression until the burning flame of all their hopes had become barely glowing embers. And this was the very providence of Moses – whom God raised up and sent to them – to lead them to victory and freedom from their enemies.
Dear ones, this is a picture of all of God’s people in every generation of this sinful world! Yes! This is a picture of us in this world right NOW! Like the Israelites – with the impossible depths of the Red Sea in front of them – and destruction and death from their enemies right behind them – their whole world looked like a disaster to say the least. But God – will always come through for His true children! Praise His Wonderful Name! Let us call unto Him – who has been and still is OUR wonderful Savior! Read the whole context of both Ex.14 and Ps.56.
The same Savior that Moses called on to do – what only He could do – is whom we call on today! All glory to God! This is the grand realization that is gifted to us when we read and study the Word of God. He communicates to us this same meaning and message of His Salvation. Note how God caused Moses to tell them to stop looking behind them – and move forward (see Phil.3:14). He told them – not to fear – but to “stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord”. And, how great it will be when our Lord will tell us, “The enemies we see today, we will see them no more forever.” — John Carpenter
by the Editor | Aug 18, 2024 | Devotional
1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. — Luke 19:1-10
Maybe some of you have heard the little song “Zacchaeus Was A Wee Little Man”. It is a fun little song to sing with a group of children. At Camp Del-Haven, we have sung this song many times throughout the years. This song does not adequately describe the change in Zacchaeus after the Lord Jesus met with him.
As we read in verse 2, Zacchaeus was a publican (a dirty rotten tax collector). In fact, it states that he was “chief “ among the tax collectors. During that time, the tax collectors would take taxes from the Jews and give it to the Romans. Tax collectors were known for collecting more than the required amount and they would keep the extra for themselves. Basically they would legally steal from the people.
Verse 2 also indicates that Zacchaeus was rich. So, he was good at stealing from the people. In John 10:27, we read, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” The Lord Jesus called Zacchaeus by name and saved him. Zacchaeus was made a “new creature”. He vowed to give half of his goods to the poor and pay back anyone that he had treated wrongly, plus interest.
This account of Zacchaeus in God’s Word clearly illustrates 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Can you see the change in Zacchaeus? Praise The Lord!
— written by Jeff Hall
by John Carpenter | Jun 20, 2024 | Devotional
Praise ye the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! (2) While I live — will I praise the Lord – I will sing praises unto my God — while I have my being. (3)Put not your trust in princes – nor in the son of man — in whom there is no help. (4) His breath goeth forth — he returneth to his earth (or, dust). In that very day his thoughts perish. (5) Happy (or, Blessed) is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help – whose hope is in the Lord his God! (6) Which made heaven – and earth – the sea – and all that therein is; which keepeth Truth for ever! (7) Which executeth judgment for the oppressed – which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners (of Satan, Sin and the World)! (8) The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind – the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down – the Lord loveth the righteous (9) the Lord preserveth the strangers — He relieveth the fatherless and widow – but the way of the wicked – He turneth upside down! (10) The Lord shall reign for ever – even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations! Praise ye the Lord!” [Ps.146]
This Psalm speaks to – and about – all the individuals who have trusted in the eternal person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ – as being their own personal Savior and God – even while they are still in this fallen world of sin, death and Satanic adversity. This is a Psalm of very great encouragement unto – especially – them!
If you are among the eternally saved – by the Lord – Rejoice! And shout, “Hallelujah!” That’s the Word that means: “Praise the Lord”! This Psalm begins and ends with this word.
If you’re not sure that you are – right now – another one that is among those who know that they are one of God’s saved ones – by the Lord Jesus Christ (see: 1Jn.5:11-13) then call out to Him (see: Rom.10:13-17) and beg Him to let you know that you – indeed – are one of His saved ones. Rom.8:16 – which is in God’s very Word, tells us that His Spirit bears witness – or communicates with our spirit – that we are – indeed — His saved-by-grace sinner/children! And, that means that we are “heirs of God and joint-heirs” with Christ (our eternal Savior). So, if you’re not sure you’re one of His – call out to Him – to let you know – and believe – and understand that you truly are!!
This Psalm describes the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ – and how He reigns over all the sinner/children that God the Father has given unto Him – to save! Put your trust in Him – and not in anyone or anything else. He will manifest Himself unto you in your present circumstances and He will rescue you from Satan – sin – this adverse world, et. al. And He will guide your steps all the way – from here – unto where you know that you really want to someday go – Heaven!
And, take note of what is underlined in verse 9> “The way of the wicked – He turneth upside down!” This is especially comforting when you consider and understand our present adverse reality of being under our present government! Even — it – is ultimately under the Lord’s sovereign control. Yes, in spite of these present trials – everything that is declared by God – about God – where we, His children, are concerned – will be realized! Praise His Name!
In short, this Psalm describes the Providence of God for all His saved-by-grace loved ones! [Providence is defined as being: Divine guidance, or care; God conceived power – maintaining and guiding human destiny]. We all have our own individual, personal and peculiar providence while we are living in this world. Yet all who are God’s – all who belong to Him – all who make up the people of His own peculiar possession (1Pe.2:9-10) – who are among all those whom He has planted in this world (see: Mat.13:24-43) – these will all experience the regenerating reality of living here — in a daily walk and relationship with the Lord Jesus that is filled with all the good things of Ps.146:5-9. Hallelujah! Amen. — John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | May 22, 2024 | Devotional
(17) “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ – the Father of glory – may give you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation – in the Knowledge of Him: (18) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened – that ye may know what is the Hope of His calling – and what (are) the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints; (19) And what is the exceeding greatness of His Power to us—ward – who Believe – according to the working of His Power – (20) which He wrought in Christ – when He raised Him from the dead – and set Him at His own right hand – in the heavenly places(!);(21) Far above all principality and power and might and dominion – and every name that is named, not only in this world – but also in that which is to come(!): (22) And hath put all things under His feet – and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the Church – (23) Which is His body – the fulness of Him – that filleth all in all!” [Eph.1:17-23]
This is the capstone text to what was presented last month titled as – “Celebrating Our Lord’s Resurrection”. The context of this very section of holy scripture is what the apostle Paul declares as being that which – he specifically prays for – where the Ephesian believers are concerned. Paul supplicates God – the Father of glory – to graciously give unto them – the Holy Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in (lit.) the “Full Knowledge” of the Lord Jesus Christ! (see: 1Ti.2:3-4) Who has quickened and opened the eyes of their spiritual understanding – enlightening them to know what is the Hope of His Holy calling into their eternal salvation! All of this constitutes – the riches of the glory of His inheritance of grace in all of His saints. Praise His Name! And this – he is inspired to declare – is the exceeding greatness of His Power unto all of us – who truly and genuinely – Savingly Believe in Him!
In fact, what is revealed here is also – the profound truth that – it is He who owns and bestows upon all His eternally saved ones – the Power to Repent and Believe on Christ! Repenting and Believing on our Lord Jesus Christ – is Not an exercise that we are capable of performing! No! That, too, all comes from God – alone! And, this wonderful text declares it to have all been completely worked out by God – for us – when – by the glory of God the Father – He raised up Christ Jesus from among the dead! (see: Ro.6:4) The same Omnipotent Power – that God the Father wrought upon His Son – our Substitute/Savior – when He gloriously raised Him up from being among the dead – and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places – that same almighty Power – is what He blesses us with – in order to cause us to truly Believe in His Savior Son – so as to be Eternally Saved-by-His grace! All praise unto the wonderful Word of His Grace!
This is why the apostle Paul was inspired to write unto the Galatians – in Ga.2:16 – these words: “knowing that a man is not justified – (lit.) out of performing – the works of the law – but through the Faith of Jesus Christ – even we (the apostles) have believed into Jesus Christ – that we might be justified – out of the faith of Christ – and not out of the works of the law…”!
Hence – does Paul go on to inspiringly explain in no uncertain terms – what he says from vs.20:
“I have been crucified – with Christ – nevertheless I live (here again, is a reference to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus) yet not I – but Christ – liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh – I live (lit.) In the faith of the Son of God – who loved me and gave Himself for me!”
Gal.3:26 dogmatically declares: “For ye are all the children of God (lit.) through faith in Christ Jesus!” Let us praise and glorify Him…Forever!!
— John Carpenter
