by John Carpenter | Jan 17, 2015 | Devotional
“My presence shall go with thee — and I will give thee rest.”
“And the Lord — He it is that doth go before thee — He will be with thee — He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee — fear not, neither be dismayed.” [Ex.33:14; De.31:8]
It definitely goes without saying — as any spiritually perceptive true believer will agree — that we are (and have been) living in the “perilous times” that are vividly being described from God’s Word in 2Ti.3:1-5! The changes in our culture prove to be very pointedly anti-Christian. We, who are in Christ — in this world — definitely need the light — the leadership — and the loving-kindness of the Holy Spirit in order to navigate through the foreboding situation that confronts us.
The texts above deliver to every one of God’s chosen, awakened and regenerated children — who are yet in this fallen world — just the message that we need to assure our hearts that we will — though tried by fire — come through it all as gold [Job23:10].
Moses was, himself, a “type” of Christ — in that the same promise(s) that God made to him, would be received and realized all of God’s particular and peculiar chosen children that were given to Moses to lead as well. When God said to Moses, “My (eternal) presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest!”– that same promise is to be — by God’s grace — received and realized by each one of God’s particular and peculiar people [1Pe.2:9-10]. And, the same wonderful, reassuring promise of God is true for us who have been given to the Lord Jesus Christ — and placed in Him — “before the foundation of the world”! [Eph.1:3-4] For, indeed, “all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him, Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” [2Co.1:20]
Moses was commanded to deliver to all of Israel the meat of the gospel message of De.31:8. Which gospel message — in short — announces who the Lord God is: “He it is that doth go before thee”; and what the Lord God will, in fact, do: “He will be with thee”; and what the Lord God will not do: “He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee”; and what will be engendered and received by response — as a result of this great work of grace — from each one of us: “fear not — neither be dismayed!” Be reminded of Je.32:40: “I will put my fear in their hearts — that they shall not depart from me.”
Truly, there are no greater — or, more accurate — or, more appropriate — questions and statements of exclamation that can be made — than that which is declared from Ro.8:31: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us — who (or, what) can be against us?!” This being true, we can meet with confidence the coming year.
What better meditation can a child of God ask for than, this. Let us trust in Him as we begin a new year of sojourning through this fallen and sinful world.
-For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Dec 17, 2014 | Devotional
“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.” Jn.3:2 “And the glory which thou gavest me — I have given them; that they may be one — even as we are one. (23) I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one — and that the world may know — that thou hast sent me — and hast loved them — as thou hast loved me. (24) Father, I will that they, also, whom thou hast given me — be with me — where I am — that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me — for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world!” Jn.17:22-24 “Behold, a virgin shall be (with) child — and shall bring forth a Son — and they shall call His name, Emmanuel — which being interpreted is: God with us.” Mt.1:23
Jesus, from Jn.3, replies to Nicodemus — who says to Him that which is conveyed here, from vs.2 — except a man be born again he cannot accurately make the observation communicated from vs.2 — that God is “with Him”. The expression, “with Him” denotes: an intimate, personal union and communion with God. This sort of union is something that each of us want to have — with our Savior — as we traverse through this troublesome world.
How marvelous it is, indeed, to also know that the truth of the next text from Jn.17 is a true description of our state of being. It is beyond grand to realize that we are so gloriously loved by God — in His precious and perfect Son. And, because we have been chosen and placed in Him (His eternal Son) [Je.31:3; Eph.1:2-4] — we can be assured that we are also “with Him” (I.e. in an intimate, personal union and communion with Christ)!
We could not possibly have as sure and firm an understanding of our being in union with the Christ — without His incarnation into our humanity being historically represented like it has been! He — God’s eternal, only begotten Son — was born of a virgin woman into our humanity — and is called: “Immanuel” — which being interpreted means: “God with us”; or, God being united with us!
This fulfills the scriptural description of He.2:14-15: “Forasmuch then — as the children are partakers of flesh and blood — He, also — took part of the same that through death [the consequence of the sins of the flesh] He might destroy [or, render powerless] — him that had the power of death — that is the devil (15) and deliver them — who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Therefore, the birth and incarnation of the Christ of God was specifically for the deliverance of all of the fallen, yet loved and chosen children of God! Praise His Name! Hence, He.2:17 goes on to explain: “Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God — to make reconciliation [or, propitiation] for the sins of the people.” He was sent to be united “with us” so that we might be united “with Him”.
For Christ’s Glory Only!
– John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Nov 20, 2014 | Devotional
“The Lord God omnipotent reigns” Re.19:6
“But our God is in the heavens — He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.” Ps.115:3
“Whatsoever the Lord pleased — this did He in heaven and in earth.” Ps.135:6
“…the most High rules in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will —
and sets up over it — the basest of men.” Da.4:17b
Here are four places from God’s Word that declare clearly and plainly His sovereign rule and control over all the circumstances of mankind — in both eternity and time. He, and He, alone — reigns. Is.57:15 declares: “For thus saith the high and lofty One — that inhabiteth eternity — whose name is Holy…” So, we see that it is from eternity that He reigns. Time — as we know it — does not even exist in His house. Time — as we know it — is but temporary. There is nothing that is temporary in eternity. Perhaps the closest we can come to comprehending eternity is — to think of it as one continual present reality. This underscores the marvelous truth of Ps.46:1: “God is our refuge and strength — a very present help in trouble.” A truly wonderful way to realize your every day personal relationship with the eternal almighty God.
Not only is our Lord sovereign and in control over all that happens in our temporary earthly life and times — individually — but He is, also, sovereign and in control over us on a national basis. He, indeed, has everything already worked out according to His sovereign will and good pleasure. He has done whatsoever He has pleased — in both heaven and in earth! To us there is seeming chaos all around us — but as far as our great God is concerned — whatever happens — is in complete accordance with His perfectly orchestrated eternal purpose and plan. Nothing takes Him by surprise where this world is concerned. In fact, it is just the other way around — this world is always taken by surprise by the sudden evidence of God’s presence and power being completely worked out according to His purpose and grace. All of the generations of fallen humanity are included in the accomplishment of His purpose — and all of His chosen in Christ from before the foundation of this world are included in the accomplishment of His grace [Ep.1:4]. Praise His Name!
World leadership undergoes its changes in accordance to the designated means of its individual national governments — but God is the one in ultimate control of all the nations within the age of temporary time (the age of sin and death). He is the One who determines the ups and downs of both leaders and nations. Where we who are His true children are concerned — wherever we may be on the governmental platform of this world — that platform provides for us a stage before both time and eternity whereby we may bear a testimony of our true personal allegiance to our heavenly Father through His eternal Holy Spirit and His eternal Son — our eternal Savior — the Lord Jesus Christ! Whatever part we can play in the appointment of the temporary powers we are made subject to –by His sovereign rule and authority over us — this is where we can make known to the world He, in whom, we really do trust!
-For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
“Amen: Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might
– be unto our God — forever and ever. Amen” Re.7:12
by John Carpenter | Oct 18, 2014 | Devotional
“For there is one God — and one Mediator — between God and men — the man Christ Jesus; (6) who gave Himself a ransom for all — to be testified in due time.” “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood — He also Himself, likewise, took part of the same — that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death — that is, the devil; (15) and deliver them who — through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (16) For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels — but He took on Him the seed of Abraham.” 1Ti.2:5-6; He.2:14-16
The first text of our chosen devotional scripture comes right off the sacred page from the greater context that leads up to — and that follows immediately after it. It is a statement of factual conclusion that is arrived at by virtue of a previous premise that is so plainly and clearly laid down from vs.3-4 : “For this is good and acceptable — in the sight of God, our Savior — who will have all men to be saved — and come unto the knowledge of the truth”. These two verses are also given as a conclusion that pertains to why the Holy Spirit through the apostle exhorts, or encourages, us to pray for all ranks of men in authority over us in this world so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life (vs.1-2). The reason being that we are to pray for them that rule over us — is simply because our sovereign God has even some of them among His eternally elect unto salvation! And, as is the case with all His saved ones, they, too, if saved, will be led unto a full knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus (Eph.4:21).
And, what is the substance of the truth that we all by God’s will and grace through the leading of the Holy Spirit will of a certainty come to truly believe? It is the truth that concerns specifically the Lord Jesus Christ being the one and only God/man and Mediator between us saved sinners and God. Praise His Name! You see — it is Him and Him alone — who has been, from eternity, incarnated into the human race as eternal God‘s, only begotten and beloved Son and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!
The Hebrews text, above, declares descriptively the details of this wonderful truth. To save all who are among His chosen children — throughout our fallen into sin human history — He was sent into our world to die; and through His death He perfectly accomplished two things. He destroyed the person and work of the devil — and He delivered us from our sin and Satan’s control over us! Bless the Lord God!
He did this grand work of eternally saving us — by becoming a partaker of flesh and blood — just like us — and being the promised “seed” of Ge.3:15. This singular Seed was prophetically confirmed to be incarnated – in the promised “Seed of Abraham” – concerning whom the Holy Spirit through the apostle John wrote when he declared: “For this purpose — the Son of God was manifested (or, revealed) — that He might destroy (or, lit., undo) — the works of the devil!” 1Jn.3:8 Let us rejoice together in our Lord as we reflect upon the full knowledge of this glorious gospel truth (Ac.13:33; 2Jn.3).
– For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Sep 14, 2014 | Devotional
“But my God shall supply all your need — according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (20) Now unto God and our Father — be glory forever and ever — Amen.” Phil.4:19-20
This all too familiar passage of scripture communicates such great comfort and hope to all of God’s needy children who are yet passing through this fallen world. Just to know that sovereign God, our heavenly Father, knows our needs before we ask Him (Mt.6:8) and, also, has perfectly provided the means and the substance of the supply of them — gives unto us great reason to rejoice, rest and be at peace. This truth should also motivate us to further rejoice and thankfully pray to Him — without ceasing (1Th.5:16-18) — casting all our care upon Him — because we know that He so much lovingly cares for us (Pe.5:7)!
This simple truth, however, is one of the most misunderstood aspects about the sovereignty of God over all of the lives of His loved and chosen children in this fallen world. Too often it is — that many Christians miss the point of truly seeking after the Lord God — who already knows all — and already has everything all worked out — especially where the oppressive trials and needs of this life are concerned. It is a vivid expression of fallen and carnal reasoning — that is based upon unbelief instead of true faith — that in times of trial and adversity and need we become weighed down with worry, doubt and are even brought to the brink of falling to pieces under the stress and strain of that which we must face up to and go through in this life. “Much tribulation” is a definite characteristic that literally substantiates the proof that we are, indeed, on the narrow way, or the right path, that leads through this fallen world into the eternal, glorious presence and Kingdom of God. [Ac.14:22] Praise His Name!
Dear ones, there is no reason for us to ever have to fret the threatening evil of our day and time, or our circumstances — because our Lord God is still in complete control — just as He has always been! And, as the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians while he was living under one of the most oppressive governments in Roman history: “I have been 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 [eternal] Son of God — who loved me and gave Himself for me.” We can trust Him, who is our Savior and Lord — to never, ever leave us, or forsake us (He.13:5). He will protect, preserve and provide for all those — whom He has eternally redeemed. He is our Head — and we are His body. We are bound to Him by His everlasting love and sovereign grace — which reigns over our whole lives through His perfect righteousness (Ro.5:21). We are His building — and He is our sure and firm foundation (1Co.3:11 1Pe.2:4-5). He supplies all that we need — and then shows to us that He, Himself, is that which fills all our needs. Blessed be the holy Name of the Lord!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
“Call upon me in the day of trouble — I will deliver thee —
and thou shalt glorify me.” Ps.50:15
by John Carpenter | Aug 24, 2014 | Devotional
“My presence shall go with thee — and I will give thee rest.” “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me — for I am meek and lowly in heartThese three texts are cohesively connected to one another in that they each describe a close personal relationship with our Lord. A relationship that only He can initiate. A relationship that He has purposed to exist between us from everlasting — because He is everlasting! A relationship that is ear-marked with genuine “rest”.
The Exodus passage comes right out of the context of when Moses was afraid that the task — the commission — the vocation that he was called by God to complete with his life — he could not do by himself. From Ex.33:12-13 Moses said to the Lord, “See — thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people — and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me! Yet, thou hast said — I know thee by name — and thou hast also found grace in my sight! Now, therefore, I pray thee — if I have found grace in thy sight — show me, now, thy way — that I may know thee — that I may find grace in thy sight — and consider that this nation is thy people!” It is at this juncture that the Lord spoke unto Moses the blessed words of Ex.33:14. This becomes the divine seal of the close personal relationship that our Lord initiates with each and every one of His eternally loved and chosen ones. Just knowing that this exists between us and Him — delivers to us — even bestows upon us — blessed rest in Him.
Jesus taught this from Mt.11:29-30. To have the “yoke” of Christ graciously put upon us — is to become closely tied to the will of the Lord — even to be united with Him. He is meek and lowly in heart — and so are we then humbled and subservient to His leading, keeping and providing. His yoke is easy — because it commands us to love Him — and to trust Him — which, by His grace, we already do. And, it is in this that we find “rest” — because in Him we know we are eternally safe and secure.
The truth of Mt.11:29 is entered into from the irresistible obedient response to His command for us to “come” to Him from Mt.11:28. Jesus issues to all of His “weary and heavy laden” ones — not an invitation, or an offer — but an irresistible command for them to “come” to Him — for “rest”. We come — because we are drawn to do so by God the Father’s everlasting love and mercy and grace [Jer.31:3; Jn.6:44-45]. We come out of the darkness of our tombs of spiritual death — right into His Light and Life — where we find in Him — and in Him, alone — that we have true “rest” for our souls. Our whole lives — and the way that we live and walk through this fallen world — are, henceforth, made new according to the close personal relationship that we have with our Lord. In Him we abide. In His “yoke” we abide. In His “rest” we abide. Under His leadership and grace we abide. And, it’s only natural that our walk through this world should reflect his abiding, leading, providing “presence”. Praise His Name!
— and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy — and my burden is light.” “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself, also, so to walk — even as He walked.” Ex.33:14; Mt.11:29-30; 1Jn.2:6
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
