Dear Partner,

More than ever before in my life I sense the need to teach in a manner that strengthens believers for difficult times that lay ahead. I am not sure of the forms those difficulties will take. They could be in the form of natural disasters, failing economies, political upheaval, or even war. Without a doubt, however, I know that the true body of Christ is entering into a time of persecution not seen by this generation before. I keep hearing those words of Jesus as He spoke to His disciples saying, “Ye are the light of the world.” The greater the darkness around us, the brighter we are to shine so that those who are seeking the true Light may find Christ through us. Listen to these words from our Lord:

Mat 5:14-16   Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Notice how He speaks of “lighting a candle” in order to put it on a candlestick so that it will give light unto men. Why does He use that analogy of a candle? The answer is found in the book of Proverbs;

Prov 20:27   The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

“The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord.” In the natural man descended from the first man Adam, that candle has been extinguished by the sin nature. The unregenerate man does not have the light of life burning brightly within him. That is why committing sin comes so naturally to men before they are saved. But when the Word of God is sown into a man’s heart and he believes the gospel and is saved, his spirit actually goes through a regeneration from death to life. His spirit is born again. Or, said another way, his candle is lit. Now it not only gives light within the man for him to walk by, it also gives light to those who are still in darkness as they see how the new birth has changed the man. His works will no longer be those of darkness, but rather those of God. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all [1 John 1:5]. We are to walk in the light as He is in the light. How do we do that? By letting the new nature lead us rather than being led by our emotions and natural reasoning.

1 John 1:7   But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

There is a great “brainwashing” being attempted by those in power in the world today. It is not just in the USA, but worldwide. It is not just by those in secular places of authority, but also by those in authority in the institutions of the church. We see whole denominations making decisions that are in direct opposition to the Word of God. They call evil good and good evil. What the bible calls sin, they call “alternate” and “acceptable.” They are brainwashing people to be “tolerant” of things the bible calls an “abomination.” I cannot help but hear the words of the prophet Isaiah once more crying out;

Isa 5:20-21   Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

They think they are more knowledgeable and wiser than God Himself. Truly they have fully partaken of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They have made themselves to be their own god. They are deciding for themselves what is good and what is evil. No longer do they fear God or trust in His Word to be truth. It is exactly the poisonous venom the serpent spewed at Eve when he said;

Gen 3:5   For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

But don’t be discouraged. Perhaps we were born for such a time as this. What a privilege. What an honor to have the opportunity to shine brightly in the Kingdom of Light while the darkness gathers all around us. We must not compromise. We must not let our lights become dim. Remember, there will be multitudes looking to escape the darkness. They must find the true Light, Jesus Christ, as we let His life shine brightly through us.

1 Pet 3:15   But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

Sue and I love you and appreciate you.   We thank God for your generous and giving heart.   God bless you!

Your friend and co-laborer,

Gary Carpenter

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