by John Carpenter | Jun 20, 2024 | Devotional
Praise ye the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! (2) While I live — will I praise the Lord – I will sing praises unto my God — while I have my being. (3)Put not your trust in princes – nor in the son of man — in whom there is no help. (4) His breath goeth forth — he returneth to his earth (or, dust). In that very day his thoughts perish. (5) Happy (or, Blessed) is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help – whose hope is in the Lord his God! (6) Which made heaven – and earth – the sea – and all that therein is; which keepeth Truth for ever! (7) Which executeth judgment for the oppressed – which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners (of Satan, Sin and the World)! (8) The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind – the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down – the Lord loveth the righteous (9) the Lord preserveth the strangers — He relieveth the fatherless and widow – but the way of the wicked – He turneth upside down! (10) The Lord shall reign for ever – even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations! Praise ye the Lord!” [Ps.146]
This Psalm speaks to – and about – all the individuals who have trusted in the eternal person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ – as being their own personal Savior and God – even while they are still in this fallen world of sin, death and Satanic adversity. This is a Psalm of very great encouragement unto – especially – them!
If you are among the eternally saved – by the Lord – Rejoice! And shout, “Hallelujah!” That’s the Word that means: “Praise the Lord”! This Psalm begins and ends with this word.
If you’re not sure that you are – right now – another one that is among those who know that they are one of God’s saved ones – by the Lord Jesus Christ (see: 1Jn.5:11-13) then call out to Him (see: Rom.10:13-17) and beg Him to let you know that you – indeed – are one of His saved ones. Rom.8:16 – which is in God’s very Word, tells us that His Spirit bears witness – or communicates with our spirit – that we are – indeed — His saved-by-grace sinner/children! And, that means that we are “heirs of God and joint-heirs” with Christ (our eternal Savior). So, if you’re not sure you’re one of His – call out to Him – to let you know – and believe – and understand that you truly are!!
This Psalm describes the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ – and how He reigns over all the sinner/children that God the Father has given unto Him – to save! Put your trust in Him – and not in anyone or anything else. He will manifest Himself unto you in your present circumstances and He will rescue you from Satan – sin – this adverse world, et. al. And He will guide your steps all the way – from here – unto where you know that you really want to someday go – Heaven!
And, take note of what is underlined in verse 9> “The way of the wicked – He turneth upside down!” This is especially comforting when you consider and understand our present adverse reality of being under our present government! Even — it – is ultimately under the Lord’s sovereign control. Yes, in spite of these present trials – everything that is declared by God – about God – where we, His children, are concerned – will be realized! Praise His Name!
In short, this Psalm describes the Providence of God for all His saved-by-grace loved ones! [Providence is defined as being: Divine guidance, or care; God conceived power – maintaining and guiding human destiny]. We all have our own individual, personal and peculiar providence while we are living in this world. Yet all who are God’s – all who belong to Him – all who make up the people of His own peculiar possession (1Pe.2:9-10) – who are among all those whom He has planted in this world (see: Mat.13:24-43) – these will all experience the regenerating reality of living here — in a daily walk and relationship with the Lord Jesus that is filled with all the good things of Ps.146:5-9. Hallelujah! Amen. — John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jun 20, 2024 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, our Lord continues to faithfully manifest His Divine Presence and sustenance of Del-Haven. This is in spite of the fact that we have never seen such an oppressive and inflated economical environment as we have – right now! But, the Lord still hears and answers our prayers – Praise His Name! Through your prayers and gifts – He has met our monthly needs.
When we got our pool prepared to reopen – we discovered a mechanical problem with our pool filter. Jeff was able to determine what was needed and the Lord provided the necessary funds so that we could purchase the parts that needed to be replaced. Hence, Praise the Lord, Jeff was able to get that task done. This delayed the time for us to be able to have families scheduled to come out to the camp. The hot days we are already experiencing demand that we have a swimming pool! Please be in prayer for us – that the Lord will continue to provide and to guide us – as only He can do.
Jeff sent out an email to the camper families that we have on file for them to begin to pick a Family Day — beginning with the week of June 24th. We plan to make ourselves available for them up through August 9th. The lake is looking real good and we are making progress with cleaning up the campground. The rains and stormy winds have taken their toll on the trees and the like – please pray that our chainsaws, weed eaters and mowers will not break down. The Word of God says for us to “cast all our care on Him – because He cares for us” – so that is what we constantly are doing! Isn’t He Wonderful! (Hey – that’s a wonderful camp chorus!)
Please also remember to be praying that the Lord will lead to us (or us to them) five male and five female staff helpers so that we can once again put together some regular camp sessions. We want what He wants – nothing more and nothing less. Pray with us concerning the family group responses that we receive for this year – that those who come out will be blessed by the Lord with ears to hear and eyes to see (see: Pr.20:12) and hearts to receive and believe the pure truth of the gospel of the glory – only — of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As always – we want you to know how much we love you all – for your continued and faithful and prayerful support of this ministry. We thank our Lord God for you!
“The Lord is Righteous in all His ways, and Holy
in all His Works. The Lord is nigh unto all that
call upon Him – to all that call upon Him in Truth.”
Ps.145:17-18
by John Carpenter | May 22, 2024 | Devotional
(17) “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ – the Father of glory – may give you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation – in the Knowledge of Him: (18) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened – that ye may know what is the Hope of His calling – and what (are) the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints; (19) And what is the exceeding greatness of His Power to us—ward – who Believe – according to the working of His Power – (20) which He wrought in Christ – when He raised Him from the dead – and set Him at His own right hand – in the heavenly places(!);(21) Far above all principality and power and might and dominion – and every name that is named, not only in this world – but also in that which is to come(!): (22) And hath put all things under His feet – and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the Church – (23) Which is His body – the fulness of Him – that filleth all in all!” [Eph.1:17-23]
This is the capstone text to what was presented last month titled as – “Celebrating Our Lord’s Resurrection”. The context of this very section of holy scripture is what the apostle Paul declares as being that which – he specifically prays for – where the Ephesian believers are concerned. Paul supplicates God – the Father of glory – to graciously give unto them – the Holy Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in (lit.) the “Full Knowledge” of the Lord Jesus Christ! (see: 1Ti.2:3-4) Who has quickened and opened the eyes of their spiritual understanding – enlightening them to know what is the Hope of His Holy calling into their eternal salvation! All of this constitutes – the riches of the glory of His inheritance of grace in all of His saints. Praise His Name! And this – he is inspired to declare – is the exceeding greatness of His Power unto all of us – who truly and genuinely – Savingly Believe in Him!
In fact, what is revealed here is also – the profound truth that – it is He who owns and bestows upon all His eternally saved ones – the Power to Repent and Believe on Christ! Repenting and Believing on our Lord Jesus Christ – is Not an exercise that we are capable of performing! No! That, too, all comes from God – alone! And, this wonderful text declares it to have all been completely worked out by God – for us – when – by the glory of God the Father – He raised up Christ Jesus from among the dead! (see: Ro.6:4) The same Omnipotent Power – that God the Father wrought upon His Son – our Substitute/Savior – when He gloriously raised Him up from being among the dead – and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places – that same almighty Power – is what He blesses us with – in order to cause us to truly Believe in His Savior Son – so as to be Eternally Saved-by-His grace! All praise unto the wonderful Word of His Grace!
This is why the apostle Paul was inspired to write unto the Galatians – in Ga.2:16 – these words: “knowing that a man is not justified – (lit.) out of performing – the works of the law – but through the Faith of Jesus Christ – even we (the apostles) have believed into Jesus Christ – that we might be justified – out of the faith of Christ – and not out of the works of the law…”!
Hence – does Paul go on to inspiringly explain in no uncertain terms – what he says from vs.20:
“I have been crucified – with Christ – nevertheless I live (here again, is a reference to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus) yet not I – but Christ – liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh – I live (lit.) In the faith of the Son of God – who loved me and gave Himself for me!”
Gal.3:26 dogmatically declares: “For ye are all the children of God (lit.) through faith in Christ Jesus!” Let us praise and glorify Him…Forever!!
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | May 22, 2024 | Camp News
Beloved, we are gearing up for another summer of having whole families frequenting the Del-Haven Camp facilities – both parents and children – to experience what goes on throughout a whole week of camp! Jeff Hall sent out an initial email to all the families that we have on record. To this we received an immediate positive reply from the group. Jeff simply said that we are planning to do this same format that we did last year – and that we will follow up in early June with more details as to what days and times there will be available from which to choose when they would like to come. Needless to say we were encouraged by the quick responses. Please be in prayer with us that the Lord will abundantly bless us in ministering to these folks – and bring glory to His Name!
These uncertain times are rife with oppressive inflation and difficult adverse circumstances. The enemy is very active in our world – as I am sure you all well know. We need much prayerful support! Thank you – one and all – for your continuing to stand with us in seeking the Almighty Arm and provision of our Lord God – in His leading us forward in our evangelistic endeavors! Our God is still in control – and He continues to make His divine presence to be realized among us. This is what comforts us and motivates us – to keep on keeping on – in preaching His Word! We thank and praise Him for you! We love and we pray for you, too!
We still have considerable work to do in preparing the campground. All the rain has not given us much of a chance to get ahead of a lot of the things that we need to do. Please pray that we can accomplish these tasks and be ready to meet all the challenges of effectually communicating –
“the Word of the Truth of the Gospel”. [Col.1:5]
by John Carpenter | Apr 24, 2024 | Devotional
“In the beginning was the Word – and the Word was with God – and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God.” “And the Word was made flesh – and dwelt among us – and we beheld His glory – the glory as of the only begotten of the Father – full of grace and Truth.” [Jn.1:1-2, 14]
“…whose names were not written — in the Book of the Life of the Lamb – slain — from the foundation of the world. (9) If any man have an ear – let him hear.” [Rev.13:8-9]
“And being fully persuaded – that what He had promised – He – was able also to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (23) Now – it ws not written for his sake alone – that it was imputed to him, (24) but for us also – to whom it was imputed – if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25) who – was delivered for our offences – and was raised again – for our Justification.” [Rom.4:21-25]
(Lit.) “Having been justified – therefore, – by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) by whom also – we have access by faith – into this grace wherein we stand – and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” [Rom.5:1-2]
“Therefore – we are buried with Him – by baptism into death: – that like as Christ was raised up from the dead – by the glory of the Father – even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death – we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection…” [Ro.6:4-5]
(17) “But God be thanked, – that ye were the servants of sin – but ye have obeyed from the heart – that form of doctrine – (lit.) unto which – ye were delivered! (18) Being then made free from sin – ye became – the servants of righteousness!” [Ro.6: 17-18]
(20) “For when ye were servants of sin – ye were – free from righteousness!” [Ro.6:20]
(22) “But now – being made free from sin – and become servants to God – ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end – everlasting life! (23) For the wages of sin is death – but the gift of God – is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Ro.6:22-23]
The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is a divine event that is to be celebrated by all the truly born from above sinner/children in this present passing away world! The above 8 contexts serve to draw a picture why this is true. First of all – He who is the Living Word of God was purposed from eternity – in His incarnation – to come into this world – to be the Savior and Substitute of all of His people. And, second, the names of each one of these – His saved ones – are written the “Book of the Life of the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World”.
The third context refers to what the Word of God says concerning Abraham – unto whom our Lord promised that through him — the example that He was going to make of him — He was going to bless all the families of the earth! He did not tell Abraham that all the persons of all the families – but, at least one of all the families — will be included among all the sinners who have been Saved by Grace! What an incredible promise! [see: Gen.12:3]. Only God Almighty, could possibly purpose and perform such a promise as this! Hence, the resurrection of Christ is very aptly alluded to – as well as all of His Seed – who are the children of the Kingdom of God [see: Mt.13:37-38].
This leads quite naturally into the fourth context. The final words of the third context having declared unto us that the Lord Jesus was raised again – specifically — for our Justification. This sets up nicely the literal wording of Rom.5:1-2 – which actually says: “Having been Justified – therefore – by faith we have Peace with God – through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Which naturally leads us into the wonderful truth of vs.2 – which describes our rejoicing — of the sovereign grace in which we stand!
In the fifth context we come into the sixth chapter of Romans. Whereupon we are rightly identified with Christ – our Sovereign Substitute and Savior – in His death and resurrection! What’s so special about the context of Rom.6:4-5 – is the truth that the Son of God – upon whom all the sins of all whom the Father had given unto Him to save – put Him into hell fire on the cross – and it was eternally covenanted that the glory of the Father would bring to factual reality – the resurrection of His Beloved Son – in whom He was well pleased! And, vs.5 of this fifth context (five being the Biblical number of Grace) declares of us – “If we have been planted together in the likeness of His death – we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” Praise His name!
The sixth context describes: That only God is to be thanked – the we whom He has chosen to save were bond slaves (servants) of our sin – but by grace we have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine (known to be the Word of the Truth of the Gospel) – lit. – unto which we were delivered!
This is the way the Word of God literally says it! And, this is how – by God’s grace – we are converted into becoming bondslaves of His righteousness over against being nothing but bondslaves to our sin. Again, praise the Lord!
The seventh context simply says the truth – “For when we were bondslaves of sin – we were free from righteousness.” Remember, without Christ – there is none righteous – no not one! [see: Ro.3:10].
Finally, the eighth context brings to completion the wonderful work of the Grace of God on our behalf when it declares from Rom.6:22-23 the truth of the matter that says: “But now – being made free from sin – and become bondslaves to God – ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end – ever-lasting life! For the wages of sin is death – but the free gift of God – is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Praise the Savior!!
— John Carpenter
