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
by John Carpenter | Jul 7, 2013 | Devotional
“Great is the Lord — and greatly to be praised — in the city of our God — in the mountain of His holiness!(2) Beautiful (lit.) on high — the joy of the whole earth is mount Zion — on the sides of the north — the city — of our great King!” Ps.48:1-2
The first phrase of this Psalm — actually — explicitly — ascribes greatness (in magnitude of importance and glory) to the eternal Lord, as having been manifested to be none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, He is to be greatly (or, exceedingly and abundantly) praised! Therefore, He is the great King — of all kings!
And, truly our Lord is great! He is the great Shepherd of His sheep! Who through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant– His own shed blood — [He.13:20] — has laid down His life — just for them [Jn.10:15]! He knows who they are — and He calls them all by their name — and they follow Him — and He gives unto them — eternal life — and they shall never perish [Jn.10:3, 27-28]!
He is the one and only great High Priest [He.4:14] — that ministers before God in the holy heavens on behalf of all those whom God the Father has given unto Him [Jn.6:37; 17:2]. Through Him — as our great High Priest — we, in full assurance of faith in His blood — have bold access into the heavenly Holy of holies [He.10:19-22].
As our eternal — great High Priest — He officiates His perfect ministry for us in a “greater and more perfect Tabernacle — not made with hands — that is to say — not of this creation!” [He.8:1-2; 9:11]! Through Him — and Him, alone — there is, indeed, provided — “so great salvation”! Therefore, He is a great Savior [Is.32:20]!
This brings unto us — great joy [Lk.2:10] — as we traverse through the wilderness of this fallen world. We inevitably discover that Jesus is, indeed, a “great Rock — in a weary land” [Is.32:2]. We find that — in Christ there is commended unto us — God’s “great love — wherewith He loved us” [Eph.2:4] — and there is bestowed upon us His great grace — which gives us great power — to speak His word with boldness [Acts 4:31,33] — bearing witness of the great things that He hath done [1Sam.12:24].
In truth — the eternal person and work of the Son of God — the Lord Jesus Christ — is, indeed, a great Light [Is.9:2]! Everyone who has walked this world in darkness — unto whom this Light has been revealed — is a true witness of this fact. This is the Light that shined unto the lost Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus — arresting him — and changing him into the apostle, Paul — when he was on his way to Damascus [Acts 22:6]. “Suddenly there shone from heaven — a great Light”– he says.
In a principle of His grace — dear ones — this is how it happens with each of us! He reveals Himself unto us — and we then exclaim: “Oh how great is thy goodness — which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee…” [Ps.31:19] Praise His great name!
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable!” Ps.145:3
by John Carpenter | Jun 16, 2013 | Devotional
“These things I have spoken unto you — that in me you might have peace. In the world — you shall have tribulation — but be of good cheer — I have overcome the world!” Jn.16:33
Jesus spoke this wonderful word of encouragement shortly before He went to Calvary. When He suffered the affliction of the cross He endured the worst of conditions — for those He came to save.
Although His outward physical condition was about to become one of unbelievable agony, yet His inner-spiritual position was one of unshakable security. Earlier from Jn.14:10-11 — He told the disciples that He was “in the Father” and that the things He said and did were not of His own authority, but of the authority of the Father. Even so are we in a like relationship with Christ — having been eternally positioned in Him. For in Jesus (who is our peace) we have peace — whereas in the world we have tribulation. But, praise His name — the Lord Jesus has overcome the world.
The grace of faith readily receives this word from God. What an understatement it truly is that in this world we will have tribulation. Everyday proves the veracity of this declaration, and it is certain that our Lord knew this to be true when He said it. What He means to convey unto us — for the strengthening of our faith — is that even though we must endure the tribulation that fills up the conditions of this world, we who are positioned in Him will have peace…because He has overcome the world of tribulation.
“Tribulation” connotes the pressures that we are under on virtually every level of our life. Whereas the word for “peace” communicates the thought of our being in union with our Lord. We are, therefore, by grace united with the only one who has indeed “overcome” the world. That is to say that He has subdued it and brought it completely under His reigning control…Hallelujah! It is no wonder, then, that He also encourages us to “be of good cheer” — which literally means that we are to, in Him, be brave and courageous in the presence of all the world’s trials and pressures.
Is.48:10 declares that the Lord has literally chosen and tried His people “in the furnace of affliction”. We are reminded from this passage of the experience of the three Hebrew boys in the midst of the fiery furnace…with the Son of God. They came out without even the odor of smoke on their clothes.
And finally, Acts 14:22 relates to us how Paul and Barnabus went back through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through much tribulation enter the Kingdom of God’.” And, positioned in Christ — we cannot fail.
– For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer”
by John Carpenter | May 20, 2013 | Devotional
“He“Praise ye the Lord! O give thanks unto the Lord — for He is good! For His mercy endureth forever.” Ps.106:1
“Bless the Lord God of Israel — from everlasting — to everlasting! And, let all the people say — Amen! Praise ye the Lord!” Ps.106:48
This text comes to us as the first and last verses of this very revealing Psalm. For in it is declared a whole litany — of both — the perpetual defeat of the sinful rebellion of man’s fallen condition — and the continual victory — of almighty God’s faithfulness and grace. And, as it was with the weak and feeble fallen people of Israel of old — even so is it the same with us today. For — their prayer of verses 4 and 5 — needs to become our prayer also: “Remember me, O Lord, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy people! O visit me — with thy salvation — that I may see the good of thy chosen — that I may rejoice in the goodness of thy nation — that I may glory with thine inheritance!”
How often it is — that we, too, forget God — as vs.7 relates concerning the Israelites: “They remembered not the multitude of thy mercies — but provoked Him…”. And yet, we, too, earnestly plead — that He remember — us! You see, it was their affliction — brought upon themselves — by their forgetting Him and provoking Him — that, in turn, provoked them to pray and urgently cry out unto Him — for their deliverance. Then comes the wonderful and gracious words of verses 8 and 12: “Nevertheless [or, in other words, in spite of themselves] He saved them — for His Name’s sake — that He might make His mighty power — to be known!” [or, so that He might reveal unto them — His mighty sin-delivering power] Their sinful fallen affliction — provided the perfect backdrop for God’s gracious and mighty deliverance! Which, in turn, set the stage for the evidence and expression — of how our Lord’s grace of faith always appears: vs.12> “Then — believed they His words. They sang His praise.”
Verse 43 seems to be a mirror that reflects our lives in this world — for it says: “Many times — did He deliver them — but they provoked Him with their counsel — and were brought low for their iniquity.” Over and over — it seems — that even the true child of God — find themselves following the counsel of their own fallen fleshly understanding — which cannot ever be trusted! That’s a sure course — right into grievous affliction!
But, praise the Lord — He is in control — and ever so quick to forgive us — and respond so perfectly to our cry! They experience the grace and lovingkindness of verses 44 and 45: “Nevertheless — He regarded their affliction — when He heard their cry. (45) And He remembered for them — His Covenant — and repented [or, pitied and consoled them] according to the multitude of His mercies.” For all of God’s children — in every generation — even though we seem to fight an unending and an up hill battle with our yet fallen condition — He remembers us in accordance with — the gospel of His eternal New Covenant — and receives us in His mercy — and His way of truth!
“Save us, O Lord our God — and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy Name — and to triumph — in thy praise!” Ps.106:4
-For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
