Devotional for October 2021

by John Carpenter | Oct 25, 2021 | Devotional

(13) “But Now – in Christ Jesus – ye who sometimes [or, once were]  far off – (lit.) have been made nigh – by [or, in] the blood Christ.(14) For He is our Peace – who hath made both one – and (lit.) having broken down the middle wall of partition {between us}; (15) having abolished in His flesh the enmity, {even} the law of commandments {contained} in ordinances; for to make [or, to create] in Himself {of} twain (lit.) into One New Man – {so} making Peace! (16) And {that} He might Reconcile both unto God in One body – (lit.) through the cross – having slain the enmity thereby:  [or, found therein] (17) And (lit) having come – He preached Peace to you which {were} afar off – and to them that {were} nigh. (18) For through Him – we both have access (lit.) in one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore – ye are no more strangers and  (lit.) sojourners – but fellow-citizens with the saints – and of the household of God! (19) Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God”! [Eph.2:13-19]

The doctrine of Reconciliation between a chosen sinner/child and their Holy Father God is foundational to the establishment of an eternal relationship of Perfect Peace with God! From within the context of this particular section of scripture — this truth is clearly explained and declared.

From this section of holy scripture we see that it begins and ends with two significant descriptive declarations that compliment one another in more than one beautiful way. First of all, they both describe something that is spiritually significant in that they are describing a spiritual reality in every true believer that is current, even though they are still a part of this fallen and sinful world! And, this section of the Word of God plainly declares how – the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ has – by Himself – fully accomplished this everlasting gospel reality of there being peace – between us and God through our everlasting Reconciliation with Him! Here we are – nothing but completely hopeless sinners – but, through the eternally accomplished and perfect atonement by the Lord Jesus Christ – we have been brought intimately near to holy God! We have been made pristine clean in the precious blood of Christ Jesus.

Why is that the certain reality between the most Holy Lord God and us? Even because the Lord Jesus – the incarnated eternal Son of God – is exactly as vs.14 says: “For He is our Peace”! Our Perfect Peace with the Triune God – eternal and forever! How did He accomplish our Peace with holy, holy, holy God? The answer is – He did it all as our Sovereign Savior Substitute! He has made both – God and us (His chosen sinner/children) – both of us — One in Him! This is what God secured from eternity when He placed us — in His beloved – and only-begotten — Son – “before the foundation of the world”. And, in conjunction with this eternal act of His everlasting love and grace – He has “broken down the middle wall of partition between us” which has separated us from being able to be completely compatible with one another. You see – if we were not made righteous and holy just like God – then there is no way that we can be accepted and approved in His Holy and Righteous presence. But, what Christ is descriptively declared to have done – here in Eph.3:13-19 – has remedied this whole matter!

This fulfilled what is wonderfully being described in He.10:19-20 which says:“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into [lit.] the Holy of Holies – in the blood of Jesus, (20)  by a new and living way which He consecrated for us [or, which He made holy for us] through the veil – that is His flesh.”

This we will endeavor to explain next time.\

For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter

Devotional for September 2021

by John Carpenter | Sep 26, 2021 | Devotional

“And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3.“Blessed — the poor in spirit – for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4.Blessed — they that mourn – for they shall be comforted.

5.Blessed — the meek – for they shall inherit the earth.

6.Blessed — they that hunger and thirst after righteousness – for they shall be filled.

7.Blessed — the merciful – for they shall obtain mercy.

8.Blessed — the pure in heart – for they shall see God.

9.Blessed — the peacemakers – for they shall be called the children of God.” [Mt.5:2-9]

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee – that he may dwell in thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house – even of thy Holy Temple.” [Ps.65:4]

Having commented on the subject matter of Mt.5:2-9 – we are now ready to see the connection between this and Ps.65:4. This one verse in this Prophetic Psalm of David is a perfect summary of the seven Blessings Mt.5:3-9. Which Blessings are bestowed by God upon all whom He has chosen and caused to come unto Christ as His eternally saved ones.

This is a truth that is told to us throughout the Bible! Eph.1:3-4 plainly says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us – with all spiritual blessings – in heavenly places in Christ (4) according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world – that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…”. The eternal Son of God – by virtue of the Covenant that was cut within the divine and determinate Counsel of the Triune (of which He is one of the holy Three) was sent into this fallen-in-sin world to be incarnated into being the eternal Person of our ever present Kinsman-Redeemer! This means that the eternal Son of God was chosen and sent into this world to be the Lamb of God and to accomplish the eternal atonement for the sins of all those whom the Great Triumvirate has chosen and placed in Christ to be eternally saved. Praise His Holy and Wonderful Name!

This means that Ps,65:4 is an everlasting – pure Gospel statement – that refers to both: Christ Jesus the Lord – and all whom the Heavenly Father has given unto Him (Jesus) to eternally save!

Our Lord declared from Jn.6:37 “All that the Father giveth to me – shall come to me. And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out”. Also, vs.38-39 go further to say: “For I came down from heaven not to do my will – but the will of Him who sent me. (39) And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me – that of all which He hath given me – I should lose nothing but should raise it (all of them) up again at the last day.”

This statement – as well as all that we have been talking about for the last several months (including everything that has been said concerning Mt.5:2-9) – falls under the all-governing sovereignty of God Almighty. He is in complete control – and He always has been! Knowing this and realizing this truth — will lead us directly into the Rest that remains for the people of God. In fact, the only ones that have not – nor cannot – enter into the Rest that resides in Christ –  are all the unbelievers [see: He.4:1-11].

Jesus said, “Ye have not chosen me – but I have chosen you” [Jn.15:16]. Amen.

For Christ’s Glory Only!  -John Carpenter

Devotional for August 2021

by John Carpenter | Aug 21, 2021 | Devotional

“And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3.“Blessed — the poor in spirit – for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4. Blessed — they that mourn – for they shall be comforted.

5. Blessed — the meek – for they shall inherit the earth.

6. Blessed — they that hunger and thirst after righteousness – for they shall be filled.

7. Blessed — the merciful – for they shall obtain mercy.

8. Blessed — the pure in heart – for they shall see God.

9. Blessed — the peacemakers – for they shall be called the children of God.” [Mt.5:2-9]

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee – that he may dwell in thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house – even of thy Holy Temple.” [Ps.65:4]

We come now unto the crowning Biblical description of the true Child of God in this fallen and sinful world! Jesus declared Himself as being “the Way – the Truth – and the Life”! There is no other way for anyone — to come to the Heavenly Father –  except by, and through, the Lord Jesus Christ! And, there never ever will be! Each one of these blessings of God’s great grace are bestowed by God in order to bring His lost sinner/children — out of their sin caused death and darkness – right into the Light and riches – of the glory of His grace granted Eternal Life. The sovereign Savior bestows His sovereign Grace – personally and individually – upon each one of His sinner/children. And, in this way He transforms them into becoming His living witnesses who are always busy bearing forth to the fallen world around them the glorious truth as to what great things have happened to them by Christ Jesus their Savior and Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ has eternally saved them by His Great Grace! And, the wonderful news of all this — is made known unto them — while they are still in this dark, damned, fallen, trial and tumultuous ‘war-filled’ world. Hence, God makes them to become true representatives and ambassadors for Christ and what He has done for them. He is their Peace – with Almighty — all Holy God – and now, therefore, they are His Peacemakers!

Is.43:10-11  says that they are His “Witnesses” whom He has chosen  to go through this world proclaiming the “Gospel of Peace”! And, that’s just what they will do!

From Is.52:7 it is written: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him (all His Peace-makers) that bringeth good tidings – that publisheth Peace – that bringeth good tidings of good – that publisheth Salvation! That saith unto Zion (the spiritual abiding place of all of God’s children) Thy God reigneth!”

Oh glorious Truth for every sinner/Child of God that is yet in this sin filled world! Our God reigns over all! Praise His Holy Name!

The Lord Jesus said from Jn.14:27> “Peace I leave with you – my peace I give unto you – not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled – neither let it be afraid.”

If Christ gives it to us – He will never take it away from us! All these blessings of His grace are bestowed upon us. That means that they become a part of us – forever! “For the gifts and calling of God – are without repentance.” [Ro.11:29] Amen.

For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter

Devotional for July 2021

by John Carpenter | Jul 19, 2021 | Devotional

“And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3.“Blessed — the poor in spirit – for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4. Blessed — they that mourn – for they shall be comforted.

5. Blessed — the meek – for they shall inherit the earth.

6. Blessed — they that hunger and thirst after righteousness – for they shall be filled.

7. Blessed — the merciful – for they shall obtain mercy.

8. Blessed — the pure in heart – for they shall see God.

9. Blessed — the peacemakers – for they shall be called the children of God.” [Mt.5:2-9]

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee – that he may dwell in thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house – even of thy Holy Temple.” [Ps.65:4]

Our Lord Jesus continues to unfold for us these gracious “Blessings” of our having been born from above in this fallen world. He begins with the “Blessing” of true and genuine Repentance as conveyed in vs.3-5 and progresses from there to the “Blessing” of real Regeneration as revealed in vs.6-9.

We come now to the “Blessing” described in vs.8> that of possessing a “Pure” heart. All of these “Blessings” are the result of the Presence of the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ in the life and walk of a “Sinner-Saved-By-Grace”!  And, all of this has been lovingly planned and purposed from eternity — by our Savior God – to come to pass for us — individually and personally while we are still here in time. We are quickened to life spiritually and following Christ right out of this fallen and trial filled world – right into our Savior’s heavenly presence.

This is what is conveyed unto us from Ro.8:14-17> “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God – they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption – whereby we cry, Abba, Father! (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: (17) And if children, then heirs – heirs of God – and joint-heirs with Christ! If so be that we suffer with Him – that we may be also glorified together.”

So, with that understanding being scripturally established –  what exactly does it mean when the Word of God says: “Blessed – are the Pure in heart – for they shall see God!”

1Pe.1:18-23 gives a good explanation: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things…(19) But with the precious blood of Christ – as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (20) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (21) who – by Him – do Believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (22) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the Truth through the Spirit – unto unfeigned love of the brethren. Love one another with a Pure Heart – fervently: (23) (lit.) having been born again – not of corruptible seed – but of incorruptible – by the Word of God – which liveth and abideth forever!” In short, beloved, we through the Holy Spirit, obey with a Pure heart the gospel of the glory, only, of the Lord Jesus Christ – by believing in Him and loving one another as all of God’s children should do.

For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter

Devotional for May 2021

by John Carpenter | May 22, 2021 | Devotional

“And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3.“Blessed — the poor in spirit – for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4. Blessed — they that mourn – for they shall be comforted.

5. Blessed — the meek – for they shall inherit the earth.

6. Blessed — they that hunger and thirst after righteousness – for they shall be filled.

7. Blessed — the merciful – for they shall obtain mercy.

8. Blessed — the pure in heart – for they shall see God.

9. Blessed — the peacemakers – for they shall be called the children of God.” [Mt.5:2-9]

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee – that he may dwell in thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house – even of thy Holy Temple.” [Ps.65:4]

The 1^st three bestowed and pronounced Blessings of Mt.5:3-9 are reflections of the relationship that pertains to what the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus is continually developing and forming within all His chosen and regenerated sinner/children while they are still making their personal journey through this fallen world. These first three Blessings emphasize the absolute necessity of the perfect Righteousness that we need – before we can be – perfectly accepted and approved by Holy, Holy, Holy God! And, this perfect Righteousness is found, ONLY, in our Lord Jesus Christ! He was sent by God the Father – and He was delighted to obediently come – into this fallen, sinful world – “in the likeness of our sinful flesh” [see: Ro.8:3] – and vicariously – He has thought, talked and walked – totally without sin – as our Substitute! He has singlehandedly fulfilled God’s demanded perfect obedience on our behalf – in order to make us perfectly approved and accepted – in God’s Holy, Holy, Holy loving and eternal holy presence. Praise His Name!

It is by virtue of our Lord’s perfect Righteousness that we have been – and are – eternally saved! This is the reason why all of God’s true sinner/children continually – by His grace – while still passing through this world – fill the description of each of these Blessings that the Lord Jesus makes known unto us from Mt.5:3-9. We can only fill this description of a genuine Holy Spirit born from above believer — through Christ who strengthens us [see: Phil.4:13] — through the Will of God, who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure [see: Phil.2:13]. And, this is why when we traverse the wilderness of this fallen world – we are always hungering and thirsting for HIS Righteousness. Praise God and His great grace – He promises — that we shall be filled! The Righteousness that we constantly desire – is the very person and work of the only Substitute for sinners that there ever was – is – or ever will be, the Lord Jesus Christ! HE is the Holy Bread and Water of Life eternal! We are divinely encouraged from 2Pe.3:18 to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. “To Him be glory – both now and forever!” [or, lit., “to the day of eternity”]. All this as opposed to that which vs.17 describes as: “being led away with the error of the Wicked…”. May God deliver us from this!

So, therefore, vs.3-6 deliver unto us four Blessings that God bestows upon all of His children that describe the Godly attitude that we all have – in the unity of the Holy Spirit – in regards to what we all need, but which we all lack! This is why we all know and believe and understand that Christ by virtue of His being incarnated into the likeness of our sinful flesh – and still remaining holy – that it is He, and He, alone, who can – and who has — provided for us – God’s perfect Righteousness! We shall see that the next three Blessings pertain more to the promise that we shall be actually transformed into His holy likeness! Praise His Wonderful Name!