by John Carpenter | Feb 16, 2017 | Devotional
“I will direct their work in truth and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.” “Lead me in thy truth and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” “For this is good and acceptable unto God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and come unto a knowledge of the truth.” [Is.61:8; Ps.25:5; 1Ti.2:3-4]
Our Lord and Savior, who is the incarnated eternal Son of God, proclaimed of Himself that He is, “the Way, the Truth and the Life, and that “no man can come unto the Father, but through Him”. When the Spirit of Christ, Himself, speaks this truth to your heart, then, and only then, do you know without a doubt that it is indeed the truth! This marks our beginning in true Christianity. From this point forward – do we then realize in our lives what the above texts are descriptively declaring.
God first reveals us to ourselves and allows us to see the awful plight we are in as being the sinners that we truly are. We come to the end of ourselves in that bright all penetrating light. We see that we have no hope in ourselves to be able to save ourselves. We come to desperately see that we need another! This is the grace of repentance that the Spirit of God bestowes upon us. Then the Spirit of the Father reveals to our hearts the wonderful person and work of His beloved eternal Son. And, through His Spirit — and through His Word – He teaches us that He, and He alone, is our Savior. We wholeheartedly put all our trust in Him for our eternal salvation. This is the grace of faith that the Spirit of God works in us and through us. Praise His Name! We see by His Spirit of grace that we need another, and we see, by His grace that there is no other – but our sovereign Savior, Jesus Christ! He, indeed, is the only Way – He, indeed, is the only Truth – and He, indeed, is the only Way to the eternal Life that He, alone, is. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”– all glory to Him! The only Way to eternal Life is through the Truth concerning Him as being the only sovereign Savior substitute that there ever was, is, or ever will be!
The “Everlasting Covenant” that is mentioned in the Is.61 text above is the covenant that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit cut among themselves in eternity. This is what is commonly called, “The Covenant of Grace”; and this is what’s known as “The New Covenant.” It is in the fulfillment of this covenant when God the Father divinely purposed and decreed to send God the Son to become incarnated into the likeness of our sinful flesh and be our Savior and Messiah. It is in the fulfillment of this covenant that the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit to quicken us by a revelation of the reality of our having been placed in Christ from eternity. He then seals us to Christ and directs and leads through this fallen world and on into heaven – the eternal abiding place of the full effulgence of His glory!
This same covenant is also mentioned in Ps.25:10,14: “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.” “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him – and He will show them His covenant.” It is revealing texts like these that form the context for that which 2Tim.2:19 descriptively declares when it says that: “…the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal: The Lord knoweth them that are His! And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ – depart from iniquity!” All three persons of the eternal Godhead are here mentioned. This comes forward as a profound credal statement of saving truth.
It is from this Truth (which is Christ, Himself) that we are taught and directed; by which we are led and guided; in which we are rooted and established. We grow in God’s grace given knowledge and understanding – according to His good pleasure – unto the glory, only, of Christ Jesus.
-For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jan 19, 2017 | Devotional
“Men ought always to pray and not to faint.” [Lk.18:1]
“Pray without ceasing.” “Brethren, pray for us.” [1Th.5:17,25]
“Continue in prayer; watch in the same with thanksgiving; (3) withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ… (4) that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak.” [Col.4:2-4]
The Word of God contains many texts that contain descriptive phrases of the general way that things should be for any and every true Christian existing or living in this fallen and cursed world. The three texts above are examples of this.
The first of which comes to us directly from the lips of the person and being of the incarnated eternal Son of God, Himself. He issued this specifically to His disciples. The general plural term for man is not used. Therefore, He is really saying this unto any one of His true disciples that it behooves them to always be making the noun “prayer” into an active verb — and not to become weary of doing this in the troubled environment of this fallen and cursed world!
The second text comes to us from the Holy Spirit inspired pen of the apostle Paul. This phrase is included among a whole list of descriptive mandates and exhortations for true believers to follow in their daily walk by faith through this sinful world. And, it is important to also note that both of these texts are urging for prayer to be practiced in a broader way than when we worship in private. This text is not suggesting that we drop to our knees and pray at all times, but that when we walk in the Spirit, He will make us mindful of our sovereign Lord even when we find ourselves in the immediate presence of worldly trails and circumstances that we face in this world every day. We have a blood paved path via the eternally accomplished atonement of our Savior, Christ Jesus, that has consecrated for us access at any time into the very throne room of Almighty God! Praise and glory unto our Savior!
The third text is a more pointed and focused exhortation for us to ever be mindful that we need to be engaged in prayerfully seeking from our sovereign, all governing Savior and Lord that He ever be faithful to lead us into viable opportunities to proclaim the pure gospel unto this lost and perishing world all around us. This is the kind of praying that we here at Camp Del-Haven continually covet from all of you. This kind of praying — we hope and pray takes place when you gather together in church, or in groups of yourselves for genuine Christian fellowship. This is true even though in this Colossians context it is encouraged by the Holy Spirit inspired apostle (in regards to his particular ministry) to be performed, as he says, “withal”, or, “at the same time” that he commands them to earnestly persevere in the holy habit of prayer. The apostle, by the Holy Spirit, is seeking prayerful support for his continued perseverance in presenting the gospel of the glory, only, of Christ. And, this is what we desire from all of you — more than anything else.
For Christ’s Glory Only
-John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Dec 12, 2016 | Devotional
“For unto us a child is born; unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end — upon the throne of David, and upon His Kingdom – to order it , and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” [Is.9:6-7]
This prophetic utterance was granted to Isaiah by the Holy Spirit around 741 years before the actual birth of the incarnated eternal Son of God into the historical timeline of fallen humanity. It truly is an amazing and an inspiring thing to contemplate the actual context of what this portion of God’s Word tells us, especially considering when it was written. It is obvious that Is.9:6-7 points to a substantiation of what God, Himself, announced in the hearing of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when He also foretold unto that wicked serpent, the Devil: “…and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed – He shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” [Ge.3:15] It is the promised seed of the woman that is to be the fulfillment of God’s Word of eternal victory and deliverance over sin — to which Is.9:6 refers.
The apostle Paul refers to this same eternally victorious seed when he is led of the Holy Spirit to speak of God’s promise unto Abraham in Gal.3:16: “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, ‘And to seeds’, as unto many, but as unto One, ‘And to thy seed’ – which is Christ!” Once again, it is unto God’s sure and certain fulfillment of His holy Word to which this refers. The connection between Ga.3:16 with Gen.3:15, is obvious, the seed being referred to is ultimately the God/man, Christ. He is the promised seed even where Abraham was concerned when in his lifetime there occurred the miraculous birth of Isaac through his aged wife, Sarah. Hence, it is also written: “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” [Ga.3:9,29] From here we come to Gal.4:4 and the wonderful declaration of God’s sovereignty: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son – made of a woman – made under the law…” Praise the Lord! This is what we sinners-saved-by-God’s-grace really celebrate! “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse. For it is written: Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” And then it also states: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law – being made a curse for us…” [Ga.3:10,12] Praise and glory unto the fufillment of the eternal purpose of the birth of our blessed Savior!
It is no wonder that John the apostle starts his gospel account by declaring: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made!”[Jn1:1-3] Then from vs.14 we are told: “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father – full of grace and truth.”
Beloved, the “Living Word of God” was the seed that our heavenly Father promised would come and prove that sin and death and that old serpent, the Devil, has been defeated through Him — who is, has been, and always will be – our eternal sovereign Savior/substitute! We have been chosen and placed and blessed with all spiritual blessings in Him – from eternity – in eternity – and for eternity! Hallelujah and Amen!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
-John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Nov 18, 2016 | Devotional
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Rom.6;6
This text begins by saying, “Knowing this”. Which obviously refers to that which has just been laid down by the apostle immediately before it. Ch. 6 begins with two questions: “What shall we say then? “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” To which is immediately replied, “God forbid!” The reason given is because we who have been immersed in Christ — have also died with Him when He died paying the penalty for our sins — and since we died with Him who died for our sins, then how is it that we should live any longer in this world enslaved to them? This leads right up to the wonderful message of Ro.6:4 which concludes by saying: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism unto death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
What a wonderful Savior the eternal Son of God incarnated into being the Lord Jesus Christ truly is! He is, indeed, our propitiation — the one who has satisfied all the holy requirements in obtaining eternal remission and redemption from all of our sins. Praise the Savior! He is our sovereign Savior/substitute — our eternal Surety! Where sin’s losing its reign over us is concerned, Ro.6:6 comes directly into play when it declares: “Knowing this”. When by grace the Holy Spirit reveals this truth regarding the eternal person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it having been eternally accomplished for each of us personally, intimately and completely — then we understand what it means that we are eternally secure in knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.
All the remaining aspects about us still being sinners in this sinful world suddenly take a back seat to the glorious fact that although sin still remains as an immediate and dreadful part of our animated being — it does not reign over us as it once did before we came to the wonderful gospel truth concerning the eternal Savior Son of God (who is, indeed, our own personal Savior). The text says: “…our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed [or, lit., rendered inoperable] that (we who have been immersed in Christ; in His death for us; in His being buried for us; and in His being raised from the dead on our behalf) henceforth we should not serve sin.”
How totally marvelous that no longer will we religiously serve as a bond-slave our sins! No, rather, we become bond-slaves of Him who has bought and paid for us with His own holy body and blood. He is our strength; our peace with God; our hope for eternal life. He is our all and all; we follow Him; we totally trust in Him. To grow in this grace is to grow in the ever increasing knowledge of this truth.
For Christ’s Glory Only!
-John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Oct 11, 2016 | Devotional
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves – covetous – boasters – proud – blasphemers – disobedient to parents – unthankful – unholy…(5) having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.”
This text from 2Tim.3 very aptly describes the current state of affairs of our present culture in this nation. It seems that everywhere in our society there is opposition to God and His incarnated eternal savior Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This, indeed, is a direct cause in the breakdown of the fulfillment of the Biblical description of the family structure (as it is supposed to be). For example, we live in a land where there are laws against Christian prayer and Bible reading in our schools. This, by itself, engenders a general attitude of spiritual indifference as a rule among our students. This, in turn, adversely affects the teaching vocation as a whole. Our educators are diligent to make no positive reference to God, or the Bible, in the course of their teaching.
From 1Jn.2:15-17 we read: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life – is not of the Father, but of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
How is this text relevant? Worldliness is running rampant – not only in our society as a whole, but also in our churches! Worldly ways, means and music has been, and is being, adopted and accepted as an attraction to accomplish and increase church attendance. Hence, our children are being trained to become citizens of this world – instead of heaven [Phil.3:20]. They are being assimilated into a predominantly carnal culture [Ro.12:1-2] Christianity, itself, is being massaged and manipulated to fit in with this fallen world that it is supposed to resist and avoid. Our children are being proselytized into a false carnal “christian” way of living instead of genuinely being evangelized and regenerated by the Holy Spirit in accordance with God’s Word! So called gospel presentations are being performed according to worldly wisdom – and are, therefore, not even able to be effective in producing any real change in a person’s life. This contributes to the misconception that worldliness is acceptable with God – when it is not!
Jesus said from Jn.16:33 : “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer – I have overcome the world.” In addition, He said from Jn.17:9 “I pray for them. I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me – for they are thine!”
Because of the current course of opposition to God that our culture is on – and the fact that worldliness permeates even the presentation and profession of true Christianity – unfavorable judgment from our sovereign, holy God is being poured out upon our nation as a result. Hence, there is only one course of corrective action that will deliver us; and that is to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ in earnestly and effectively praying – in the Spirit — for His good and Godly leadership in every way and at every level of our country’s government.
Jesus also prayed from Jn.17:15 “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one).” He then declared from the next two verses: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (lit.) in thy truth. Thy Word is truth.” Let us praise His mighty Name!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
-John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Sep 20, 2016 | Devotional
Col.2:6-7 descriptively declares: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord – so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith – as ye have been taught – abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
There is delivered here, for our understanding, a very basic and practical principle of God’s grace that becomes the very character of our walk through this world as a true child of God.
First of all, we can accurately and rightly conclude that our walk – our journey – through the wilderness of this fallen and cursed world is exactly in accordance to the same way in which we received the Lord Jesus Christ into our lives. 2Co.13:5 exhorts us in this manner: “Examine yourselves – whether ye be in the faith! Prove your own selves! Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates?” It is so important that our perspective opinion in this particular aspect that concerns the reality of our spiritual experience be purged from any and every iniquity or error. For a mistake on this vital point affects the entirety of our Christian life in and through this world. Our Lord, Himself, warns us against walking in a light that is actually darkness. He said, “If, therefore, the light that is in thee – be darkness – how great is that darkness!”[Mt.6:23] Therefore, how did we receive Christ Jesus the Lord? We must not forget that the Word plainly tells us: “For by grace are ye saved – through faith – and that not of yourselves! It is the gift of God – not of works – lest any man should boast.”[Eph.2:8-9]
Secondly, the same wonderful grace that saved us and gifted us with the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, continues on by manifesting unto us that we, indeed, have been loved by God and chosen by God and placed by God “in Christ”. Hence, as we have received Christ by God’s grace, even so, by God’s grace, we also walk through this world of trial and trouble in Christ – Praise His Name! Gal.2:16 adamantly declares to us this all important truth: “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.” So then, from this text we learn that we cannot genuinely have faith in Christ – unless it is by the gift of God – the grace – of the faith of Christ!
Finally, as we walk in our Lord, an amazing thing takes place. We are still in this fallen and cursed world that is literally fraught with toils and struggles of all sorts, and yet, in our walk in our Lord, we grow in grace and knowledge of Him as being our Savior. This is because God has – by His grace — rooted us in His Word (through which the Holy Spirit has caused us to receive Christ Jesus in the first place) and is also, as we walk through this world in Him, building us up in the same. Acts 20:32 reveals what Paul was inspired to tell the Ephesians when he was leaving them: “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
This rooting and building us up in the Word of God’s grace is exactly what we need to establish us in the faith of Jesus Christ that saves us. And as we walk in our Lord through this world – we walk by faith and not by sight. We walk by the Holy Spirit who seals Jesus Christ to our hearts and our hearts to Jesus Christ as being our sovereign Savior Substitute; which He has been unto us, from eternity, in eternity and for eternity! Again, Praise His Name!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
-John Carpenter
