by John Carpenter | Mar 17, 2024 | Devotional
“And therefore will the Lord wait – that He may be gracious unto you – and therefore will He be exalted – that He may have mercy upon you! For the Lord is a God of Judgment. Blessed are all they that – Wait For Him!” [Is.30:18]
It should be noted that the literal context surrounding Isaiah’s Holy Spirit inspired guiding and writing of this great text — was the wanton idolatry that had overtaken the nation of Judah. If you recall, from chapter 6 of Isaiah – we see the divine call and the divine commission of him to be God’s prophet. The one whom He chose to declare – or bear testimony unto Israel – whatsoever God dictated for him to say to them. This account is found in Is.6:8-10: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send – and who will go for us?’ Then said I – here am I – send me!” (9) And He said, ‘Go and tell this people – hear ye indeed – but understand not – and see ye indeed – but perceive not. (10) And He said; – ‘Make the heart of this people fat – and make their ears heavy – and shut their eyes – lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart – and convert and be healed.”
Because the Lord revealed Himself and spoke unto Isaiah – he was more than willing to go unto a world of people that were not inclined to receive him – or even hear what he had to say about God unto them! Hence, as God’s prophet unto Israel and Judah – the Lord commanded Isaiah to declare unto them a prophetic Woe! (see Is.30:1 “Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not from me – and that cover with a covering – but not of my Spirit – that they may add sin to sin:”) The pronouncement of this “Woe” from God – is a divine indication of most unfavorable judgment from God upon them. Judgment which Judah had witnessed as having been put upon the ten tribes of Israel for their having “…feared other gods – and walked in the statutes of the heathen – whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel…”. (see: 2Ki.17:7-12) And now Judah is following the same course of apostasy! Nevertheless, our Savior God is still faithful unto His true chosen sinner/children in this same fallen-in-sin world.
And this is not at all unlike our present day and time in the world around us! This is why we — unto whom the Holy Spirit has witnessed and assured unto us – that we are indeed one of His true children (see: Ro.8:16-17). We – must always be busy seeking the presence and the power of the only Savior that there is – even the Lord Jesus Christ – without whom – we — can do nothing (see Jn.15:5). This Truth is what the Lord God had commissioned Isaiah to communicate unto – both – the nation of the ten tribes (that called themselves Israel) and of the nation of Judah as well. God means what He says! Make no mistake about that! He does not tolerate idolatry and “He which hath begun a good work in you – will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”! (Phil.1:6)
This is why Is.30:18 is so relevant unto us – even today. It declares unto us the perfect timing of the Lord over us – in all of our personal adversities and afflictions (which this world seems to be full of). Is.30:19-21 substantiates this divine Truth. It is a comfort to realize the faithfulness of our Lord as is declared in the 19th verse: “For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem – thou shalt weep no more. He will be very gracious unto thee – at the voice of thy cry – when He shall hear it – He will answer thee.” Praise the Name of the Lord!
Let us never cease from prayerfully seeking our Lord God – who is absolutely sovereign over our whole existence — in our journey through this world. Amen.
by John Carpenter | Mar 17, 2024 | Camp News
Well dear ones, we are presently preparing to once again reach out to the families and care providers of the children for them to choose a day to come out to Del-Haven and experience all that goes on throughout a whole week of camp. They can fish – swim – do crafts – enjoy the playground – hike the camp paths – and of course have a Bible Study Time. This is where we will be able to present the gospel unto the whole family. Some interesting and – it is believed – profitable discussions have been experienced through this added camp ministry reality. Please pray with us that our Lord will use this to reach both the adults and the children.
Please remember that we are still seeking from the Lord those that we can train and use to rebuild our staff — with spiritually awakened and quickened male and female servants of the Lord — to fill positions of cabin and camp program leaders for regular camp weeks. A camp season would begin in mid June and run till early August. A camp week would start on Monday noon and end around 1pm Thursday. This would be every week – except the week where July 4th would fall. We have had such good feedback in regards to our Family Camp excursions that the regular camp season may contain a few of those as well. Please be in prayer for us in this regards.
The economy that we are in has been an added trial – to say the least! Thank you all so much that have continued to support us financially (as well as with your prayers). You have been a real answer to our prayers.
Don’t forget that beginning with April 6th – and every weekend – we have a tradition of Saturday Work Days. This is when we get the campground cleaned up and set up for the activities of whatever is on the schedule. If you or a group from your church would like to help us out – please give us a call at 816-425-0460.
We love you all – and we pray for God’s blessing upon you.
“So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper
in the thing whereto I sent it.”
[Is.55:11]
by John Carpenter | Feb 19, 2024 | Devotional
“And therefore will the Lord wait – that He may be gracious unto you – and therefore will He be exalted – that He may have mercy upon you! For the Lord is a God of Judgment. Blessed are all they – that Wait For Him!” [Is.30:18]
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time – but at the end – it shall speak and not lie. Though it tarry; – WAIT for it – because it will surely come! It will not tarry!” [Hab.2:3]
These texts of holy scripture should communicate much encouragement to every true child of God’s eternal family in this present sinful world! Whenever the enabling Grace of Christ – the only Savior that there is – causes His saved ones in this world to earnestly and persistently seek Him for a much needed supplication – whether it be seemingly small or obviously great – He, Himself, also, will burden His child to earnestly pray for what they so desperately need! It is then – at this time – that He will communicate the bottom line message of both of these texts unto their Regenerated hearts and souls.
Take note of how the prophecy of Habakkuk begins – 1:2 “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! Even cry out unto thee of violence – and thou wilt not save! (3) Why dost thou show me iniquity – and cause me to behold grievance?…” This (iniquity and violence) was the sad state and condition of things in and among the Nation of Judah! Therefore, the Lord – through the minor prophet – boldly declared unto Judah: “Behold ye among the heathen – and regard (or, diligently consider) – and wonder marvelously! For I will work a work in your days – (lit.) ye will not believe – though it be told you.” This verse, the apostle Paul – in his day and time – quoted unto the Jews and Gentiles in the synagogue in Antioch on the Sabbath. You can read about this from Acts 13:14-52. The reason why Paul quoted this same text unto the Jews of the first century — which was Holy Spirit inspired through Habakkuk (a contemporary of Jeremiah) in 626BC – is because the Jews of the first century AD had become equally as idolatrous as their predecessors! The only difference was that – their idols were not exactly the same. Nevertheless, idolatry is idolatry – no matter what generation it happens to be -– and God judges and condemns it! With the Lord God, it is a damnable sin to fear and to follow anyone or anything except Him and Him alone.
Isaiah, who preceded Habakkuk, accurately prophesied what was taking place in both Habakkuk’s and Paul’s time (and as well in our own time)! This is what made Habakkuk relevant to Paul – hence, he quotes Hab.1:5 in his message in Acts 13:41. All of the Bible is completely and contemporarily relevant unto all of us, at all times! The Spirit of God bears witness to our spirits that this is the Truth! Otherwise, why was Paul also inspired to write Ro.15:4-6> “For whatsoever things were written aforetime – were written for our learning – that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (5) Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: (6) that ye may with one mind and one mouth – glorify God – even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Therefore, when we read Is.30:18, we can rest assured that it is absolutely relevant to us even in our earnest praying and seeking the Lord God for the earnest supplication(s) of our hearts! Indeed, the context of Is.30:18 has much relevant considerations for us to wisely take note of – for our learning. For our learning to truly seek Him – and to wait for Him – to unfold His grace unto our hearts and our circumstances. Lord willing: we will address this in a future missive.— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Feb 19, 2024 | Camp News
(Shown above, a recent February sunrise over the Camp Del-Haven dining hall.)
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up.” [Ps.5:3] “As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me! (17) Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” [Ps.55:16-17]
Well dear ones, already the days seem to be getting longer – and a little warmer…at least warmer than the frigid cold we have recently had to endure. What is right upon us as camp season is concerned – is our intention of contacting our camper families to see about scheduling them for a day of Family Camp Activities. Please be in prayer with us in this regard – that we will get a good reception. There were many great times that we had last year – with encouraging responses from the children and their parents and care providers.
We are still seeking the Savior to send us male and female staff help. What we are asking for is for truly awakened and quickened folks to fill the bill of being cabin and camp leaders – so that, Lord willing, we can resume having boys and girls camp weeks like we had before. Let us keep this matter before our Lord – in accordance with His sovereign will and good pleasure.
Dear family in the Lord, please include Jeff Hall, our longtime camp assistant, in your prayers. He has been having pains in his chest, and after seeing a heart specialist – he has been prescribed some mild medication – as well as put on a schedule for further tests. Jeff will be 57 on his next birthday. Please pray that the Lord continues to strengthen and sustain our dear Brother Jeff!
Also, as a “heads up” to our supporters – our traditional first Work Day is coming up. It will be the first Saturday in April. We do have quite a bit of outside campground work to do if any of you – or a group from your church – feel like lending us a hand. Our camp number is (816) 425-0460.
Thank you all for continuing to pray and financially-support our efforts in presenting the pure Word of the truth of the gospel of the glory – only – of the Lord Jesus Christ. We love you – and pray for you. — John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jan 17, 2024 | Devotional
And He spake a parable unto them – that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. (2) Saying: ‘There was in a city — a judge – that feared not God – neither regarded man. (3) And there was a widow in that city – and she came to him, saying: Avenge me of mine adversary! (4) And he would not for awhile, but afterward he said within himself: Though I fear not God – nor regard man (5) yet because this widow troubleth me – I will avenge her – lest by her continual coming – she weary me.’ (6) And the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge saith! (7) And shall not God avenge His own elect – which cry day and night unto Him – though He bear long with them? (8) I tell you that He will avenge them speedily! Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh – shall He find faith on the earth?” [Luke 18:1-8]
The Lord Jesus Christ – the eternal Son of God incarnate – is our eternal Savior. We have been eternally saved — according to the perfectly performed merits of His obedient righteousness; and the eternal efficacy of His sin-atoning shed blood; and the omnipotent power of His sovereign Grace! As being our great Savior – He was, is and always will be – in all things – our excellent example. Although He is much more than just our example – and always will be – we who are truly His chosen sinner/children – will – by His grace seek to pattern our lives after Him.
1st Peter 2:21-24 plainly says: “For even hereunto were ye called – because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps. (22) Who did no sin – neither was guile found in His mouth. (23) Who, when He was reviled – reviled not again – when He suffered – He threatened not – but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. (24) Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree – that we – being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness – by whose stripes ye were healed! (25) For ye were as sheep going astray – but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
From Jn.13:15, Jesus says: “I have given you an example – that ye should do as I have done…” Jesus shows us by example how to walk according to His faith through this sinful, fallen and passing away world. He shows by example what it means to truly love – both – Him and one another. And, He demonstrates for us how to suffer patiently by committing ourselves to the sovereign care of our heavenly Father! He shows us that just by living in this world of trial and adversity – walking by His faith and believing in Him – we are, in fact, serving Him by being reflections of Him!
In the matter of prayer, for instance, our Lord is an absolutely exemplary example for us to imitate. From His Word, He tells us to “continue in prayer” [Col.4:2] and “pray without ceasing” [1Th.5:17], which surely means that He has willed for us to do just as He has done! As such, this Godly activity of prayer, along with many other disciplines, is a living example of a true close relationship with Christ!
And, when you think about it – if ever there was a man who might not have a need to pray – it would be the God/man! After all – He did no sin. He knew no sin. He had no sin. But, it was He who became sin for all those for whom He died! He had a Holy Soul! The lusts of the flesh that in this world always wage war against all the fallen-in-sin souls of God’s chosen sinner/children – absolutely could not even come close to subduing the Holy Soul of our Savior! That ever constant daily battle was bravely fought by Him — and through His faith in the Word of His heavenly Father – He was overwhelmingly victorious over sin! And, through Him – so are we!
