by John Carpenter | Jan 16, 2014 | Devotional
“According as His divine power — hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness — through the (full) knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue; (4) whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises — that by these — ye might be partakers of the divine nature — having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2Pe.1:3-4
The grace of God that makes a new creature of the true believing sinner is, indeed, a marvelous and wonderful thing! It is a divinely powerful thing! It affects everything that pertains to the life that is bent toward Godliness. The scriptures dogmatically declare from Rom.3:10 — that because we are born in sin — “there is none righteous -no not one”. This means that man from himself — by himself — is left completely unjustified before holy God.
How then can this be changed? Well, frankly, by us — it can’t! But, where the gospel of the glory of the divine power of God’s grace is concerned — things can be, by His doing — entirely different! Ro.4:5 delivers the wonderful news — “but to him that worketh not — but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly — his faith is counted for righteousness!”
This is what Peter is telling us when he says that through God’s divine power and His exceeding great and precious promises we have become partakers of His divine nature! It is in this way — we have escaped out of the awful grip of the corruption that is in this world through lust!
Of course, how all of this takes place in our lives and experiences is by virtue of the gospel truth that we have been placed by God — in His eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ — from before the foundation of the world! And, being a branch in Christ, the Vine, the justifying righteousness that we own — is His righteousness — because we are in Him. Being found in Him — God can find no fault in us! There are no accusations that can be truthfully made against us. Why? Because: “there is, therefore, now — no condemnation — to them that are in Christ Jesus…” “We are His workmanship — created in Christ Jesus — unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Pr.11:23 says: “The desire of the righteous — is only good!” Why is this the case? Even because as Ps.37:4 says: “Delight thyself also in the Lord — and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” By grace, His desires become our desires.
Whatever it may be that we have — that is good and Godly — we have because it has been graciously given unto us by God. 1Co.4:7 rightly asks it: “…what hast thou — that thou didst not receive? Now if, also, thou didst receive it — why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?” This is good rich food for thought — for the new year!
For Christ’s Glory Only –
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Dec 16, 2013 | Devotional
“And I will put enmity between thee — and (lit.) between the woman — and between thy seed — and (lit.) between her seed! He shall bruise thy head — and thou shalt bruise His heel.” Ge.3:15
“Therefore, the Lord, Himself, shall give you a sign — the virgin shall conceive — and bear a Son — and shall call His name — Immanuel!” Is.7:14
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise — (lit.) For as His mother, Mary, was espoused to Joseph — before they came together — she was found with child of the Holy Ghost!” Mt.1:18
“Now all this was done — that it might be fulfilled which was spoken (lit.) by the Lord through the prophet, saying: (23) ‘Behold — a virgin shall be with child — and shall bring forth a Son — and they shall call His name, Immanuel!’ Which being interpreted is: God with us.” Mt.1:22-23
What is it — really — that true believing Christians celebrate at this time of year? The true celebration of Christmas — is a celebration of the history of the eternal reality of the incarnation into the fallen human race — of the eternal Son and Christ of God! It is a celebration of the divine and loving provision of God — of an eternal propitiation and substitute — for all of His lost and sinful children! And, only a loving and gracious God could make such a provision.
The elect and holy angels of God appeared — or, revealed — themselves unto the shepherds and were heard by them to declare: “Glory to God in the highest — and on earth — Peace — good will toward [Or, lit., “in and among”] men.” Lk.2:14
They declared on this trial ridden, tumultuous earth — peace — because He who is called the “Prince of peace” Is.9:6 had finally arrived. He had arrived to ultimately fulfill the eternal purpose and decree of God to provide — through His life and death and resurrection — everlasting peace — between God and all those that He has loved and saved throughout the history of fallen humanity!
There is no peace in this world. Jesus said that in this world we will have trial and tribulation. But, there is an eternally accomplished peace — in Christ — the one and only God/man! A peace that transcends time and eternally exists between holy God and all those that intimately are a part of that which the Bible refers to as His Bride — His Building — His true Church! Praise His Name!
We celebrate the birth of Christ — even because we who are saved realize the He, Jesus, is our peace! Eph.2:14 He, by Himself, as our eternal Savior and Surety — has eternally secured a completely wrought out standing of peace with God — for us.
He brought with His coming a loving reconciliation with God — so that nothing but God’s good will would be realized in and among us — to the glory of His great grace.
May all of us here at Del-Haven wish all of you who receive and read this newsletter — a very wonderful and joyous Christmas celebration!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Nov 20, 2013 | Devotional
The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble. The name of the God of Jacob defend thee (2) — send thee help from the sanctuary — and strengthen thee out of Zion (3) — remember all thy offerings — and accept thy burnt sacrifice — Selah (4) — grant thee according to thine own heart — and fulfill all thy counsel.” Ps.20:1-4
Truly, there is nothing more deserving of our thankfulness than the Lord God’s answers and responses unto our most desperate and earnest prayers. Life and times in this fallen world are filled with “trouble” — of this there is no doubt. But, the good news is — we have the governor and controller of all our circumstances as our Savior and our God! Praise His Name!
This Psalm is literally a call to arms unto the Captain of our salvation — and all of us who are in His earthly army: 2Ti.2:3-4 “Thou therefore endure hardness — as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life — that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
These first four verses of this Psalm are a description of the reality that takes place for the saved one who — without hesitation — obediently follows the Lord in and through the battles that they encounter here in this world. By God’s grace — all eight of the realities listed here are ours — through the person and work of the Lord Jesus who first exhibited them on our behalf during His divine tenure on earth in His incarnation. He is our Surety and Substitute and, therefore, our Savior! Because of Him all eight of these are ours:
1. The Lord hears us [Or, lit. answers us] in the day of trouble.
2. The Name of the God of Jacob defends us [Or, lit. sets us on high].
3. The Lord sends our Help — from the heavenly Sanctuary.
4. The Lord strengthens us [Or, lit. supports us] out of Zion.
5. The Lord remembers all our offerings — and —
6. The Lord accepts our burnt sacrifice [Or, lit. the atonement that He has eternally wrought for us through His death for us]
7. The Lord gives unto us the desires of our own heart [which He has made the same as that which is His — our eternal salvation]
8. The Lord fulfills — on our behalf — His divine purpose and plan concerning us.
This is descriptive of the power of His resurrection — which everyone of us — like the apostle Paul — who have been redeemed by Christ’s blood — earnestly long to know — even while we are yet in the midst of the troublesome warfare of this world: Phil.3:10 “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection — and the fellowship of His sufferings — being made conformable unto His death…” This desire of our hearts — He brings to pass. For which we are eternally thankful!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
– John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Oct 15, 2013 | Devotional
“Herein is our love made perfect — that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because — according as He is — so are we in this world!” 1Jn.4:17
“For it became Him — for whom are all things — and by whom are all things — in bringing many sons unto glory — to make the Captain of their salvation — perfect — through sufferings. For both — He that sanctifieth — and they that are sanctified — are all of One. For which cause — He is not ashamed to call them brethren!” He.2:10-11
God’s love for us — is everlasting! He has used it — to draw us all unto His eternal and only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ — and then, through Christ — unto Himself [Je.31:3] — praise His Name! But, the text above [1Jn.4:17] is referring to our love for God that is specifically expressed though our love for one another. The context that surrounds this wonderful verse describes our dwelling in the constant activity of loving one another. And, it is this that gives occasion as to why we can expect what is announced in the next phrase when it says: “we may have boldness — in the day of judgment”! This grace truth is even a reality “because as He is — so are we in this world”. Let the words of that last phrase thoroughly sink — deep into your understanding!
1Jn.4:19 makes it clear that our love for God — and for one another — is ultimately because He, God, first loved us. There is no disputing this great truth. And, He.2:10-11 declare for us the description of how the Lord God demonstrated His great love for us. It says: “For it became Him” — and this is saying that God made it to be as conspicuous — as the erecting a tall tower upon the landscape of fallen humanity — to make the Captain of our salvation — to be the perfect Savior for our lost and fallen souls — through His suffering the utter ignominy of becoming incarnated into being — one of us!
Our eternal salvation depended upon us — becoming like Him — BUT — in order for that to happen — He had to become like us – FIRST! In order for Him to be able to do that — to walk among us as one of us — He had to suffer the laying aside — the glory of the image of His holy deity and come and die as our substitute — for our sins!
The wonderful result of this is the blessed eternal gospel truth of He.2:11! This is the pure gospel truth of eternally saving grace. And, this is eternally secured — in the eternal person and being of the eternal Son of God! Oh — the blessed union that we have by virtue of the person and work of our sovereign eternal Savior and Substitute — the Lord Jesus Christ! “For both He that sanctifies — and they that are sanctified — are all of One” We are in Him — before God — complete and perfect and without sin — even holy! “For which cause” — He is not ashamed to call us brethren! (Because He has cleansed and completely cleaned us up!) It is no wonder that the Word of God says: “If God be for us — who can be against us!” [Ro.8:31].
For Christ’s Glory Only!
-John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Sep 15, 2013 | Devotional
“…I will publish the name of the Lord! Ascribe ye greatness unto our God! (4) He is the Rock! His work is perfect — for all His ways are judgment. A God of truth — and without iniquity! Just and right is He.” Deu.32:3-4 “As for God — His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tried. He is a buckler — to all those that trust in Him. (31) For who is God — save the Lord? Or, who is a Rock — save our God? Ps.18:30-31
The scripture plainly declares that God’s work is perfect — and the way that He works is perfect. This even includes time. And, if there is one thing that most often — and most severely tries fallen man’s patience — it is God’s timing — but it, too, is perfect.
Take for example the Biblical account of Esther. God’s perfect timing is seen time and time again throughout this wonderful book. The Jews — at this time — were under the earthly rule and government of Ahasuerus, the Persian king. Mordecai, was originally taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar. He brought with his family — Esther — the daughter of his aunt and uncle, who were dead.
The sovereign Lord God ruled perfectly — over all these adversities — to bring this situation to pass.
At just the right time — king Ahasuerus began a personal search throughout his kingdom for a new queen. Therefore, he commanded all the young virgins of his kingdom to gathered up and made presentable to him. As the Lord would have it — Esther is chosen to be his queen. At just the perfect time — Mordecai hears of a plot to kill the king by two of his eunuchs. He tells Esther — who, in turn, tells the king — and the two are arrested and hanged. Then — Haman, the magnificent — who hates Mordecai — plots to rid the king’s entire kingdom of all Jews. He manages to get a law passed — with the king’s consent — to kill all of them. His hatred for Mordecai precipitates the erection of a 50 cubit high gallows — on which he plans to hang Mordecai.
Sovereign God orchestrates His own plan — to deliver His people — through the evil plans of their enemies! His work, His way and His timing is perfect!
For in the mean time, Mordecai and Esther and all the Jews set aside time to seek the Lord through fasting and prayer for their deliverance from an evil government and its evil leaders who had passed its evil laws.
Esther enters the presence of the king unannounced — an act that could easily end up in her death. However, she comes at just the right time — and he extends to her his golden scepter of loving acceptance and approval. He allows her to ask of him whatever she wants. She asks that he and Haman come to a banquet of hers — the very next day. Her requests are granted. Haman is jubilant to do so — thinking this would be the perfect time to get the approval of the king to carry out the law of the land upon Mordecai and all of his people. The king cannot sleep that night — so he has the book of records of his kingdom to be read unto him. In those records it was related how it was Mordecai that discovered and reported the plot that was abated against the king’s life. The king naturally wanted to show his great appreciation — so he consulted with Haman — asking him what should be done unto the man in whom the king delighted to bestow great honor. Haman thought for sure — he was talking about him — so he suggested putting on the man the king’s royal garb and allowing him to ride upon his horse through the streets of the city while one went before him proclaiming that this shall be done unto the man whom the king delights to honor! The king said that’s a great idea! Do this thing unto Mordecai! Haman had to do what the king commanded — and he was mortified.
The king and Haman attend Esther’s banquet. Esther exposes Haman’s plot behind the new law of kingdom — that were designed to kill her — and all her people. The king is enraged against Haman — does away with the law — and hangs him on the very gallows that he built in order to kill Mordecai.
The word of God proves to prevail by which is written from Ps.146:9-10 which says: “the way of the wicked — He turneth upside down! (10) The Lord shall reign forever — even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations! Praise ye the Lord! And, this becomes the perfect pattern and paradigm of God’s perfect work — perfect way — and perfect timing in effecting the deliverance of His people — His children — throughout the history of their generations. Praise His Name!
– For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Aug 30, 2013 | Devotional
(11) “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica — in that they received the word with all readiness of mind — (and ) searched the scriptures daily — whether such things were so! (12) Therefore, many of them believed…” 1Th.17:11-12
It is interesting to observe the context of this familiar passage of scripture. Paul and Silas had just been compelled to leave Philippi — and, therefore, they journeyed to Thessalonica. Upon arriving there — they entered, on a Sabbath day — into a local synagogue of the Jews. For three Sabbath days — Paul preached unto them out of the scriptures the pure truth of the gospel that is brought forward from them about the eternal Christ. He taught that this truth is all bound up in the actual person and work of Jesus. He — is the true Christ of God!
Some out of the crowd that were present, it says, were convinced by Paul and Silas. Some Greeks and women — that is — but the Jews, for the most part, remained unbelievers. In fact, they put together a make shift mob of vulgar and violent men — and created an uproar with the intention of assaulting them at the house of Jason! Having converged on Jason’s home — and searching for them there — they did not find them. So, they took Jason and certain other brethren who happened to be with him — and brought them before the rulers of the city with accusations against Paul and Silas! Since they were not with them — Jason and the brethren were released.
The scripture says they immediately sent Paul and Silas away — who then traveled to Berea. Once they arrived there — guess what they did? They went straight to the local synagogue of the Jews — and preached the same gospel message. This was the life and experience of the evangelizing servants of the Lord in the first century. This is the providential context that God’s sovereignty led them to the descriptive text above.
The Holy Spirit of God who led them through the fiery afflictions of their time in both Philippi and Thessalonica — now brought them into — by comparison — the open and welcoming arms of the believers in Berea. Hence, Dr. Luke says of them — that they were more noble, or more generous, that those of Thessalonica — because they — obviously by a work of prevenient grace by the Holy Spirit — received the word from them — with all “readiness of mind”– or, with eagerness of inclination. This reception was not natural! The natural man “receives not the things of the Spirit of God” (1Co.2:14) — but rather considers them to be foolish. But, not the Bereans — their hearts and minds had been prepared by the Lord to receive His blessed gospel when it was ably and purely preached unto them. They went further — and manifested the presence of the life changing grace of faith — and “searched the scriptures daily” — to see whether those things that were being preached unto them were true! Therefore, it says — that many believed! “Faith cometh by hearing — and hearing by the Word of God” (Ro.10:17). Praise the Lord!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
