by John Carpenter | Jun 26, 2021 | Devotional, Miscellaneous
“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 first three bestowed and pronounced “Blessings” of Mt.5:3-9 are reflections of the relationship that the person of Christ Jesus is continually forming and building with His chosen sinner/children in this world. These Blessings emphasize the absolute necessity that exists for us in regards to – the perfect Righteousness of God apart from the Law – that we need – before we can be perfectly accepted and approved by holy, holy, holy God!
This Perfect Righteousness is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ! God sent Him – and He came into this sinful world “in the likeness of our sinful flesh” [Ro.8:3] and vicariously – He has performed for us – as our Substitute – all of God’s demanded perfect obedience in order to make us perfectly accepted and approved in God’s holy, holy, holy Presence. Praise His Name!
It is by virtue of His Perfect Eternal Righteousness that we have been Eternally Saved! This is the reason why all of God’s sinner/children fulfill – while still being in this fallen-in-sin world – the fourth Blessing as is described in Mt.5:6> “Blessed are they that (Lit.) are hungering and thirsting after Righteousness – for they shall be filled!” This is the Righteousness that we constantly desire. This Righteousness is found only in person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Holy Bread and Water of Life Eternal! We are encouraged from 2Pe.3:18 to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever Amen”
Now, then, the next three “Blessings” – become characteristic descriptions of each one of God’s quickened and regenerated sinner/children. All those who have been blessed with the first four “Blessings”. Mt.5:7 tells us: “Blessed are the merciful – for they shall obtain mercy.” Which verse tells us that those blessed by God with His mercy – in His being merciful unto them – are then attributed (by His grace) with the same characteristic. Mercy is: Us, not getting from God what we do deserve; and Grace is: Us, receiving from God – all that we do not (even cannot) deserve! It’s a beautiful thing!
This is where the evidence of our having been blessed with the first four “Blessings” begins to become clear and plain. We begin to live out an active demonstration of these same character traits unto those around us – that our loving Lord and Savior has shown unto us! E.g. Eph.4:32 tells us: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted – forgiving one another – even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Or, Col.3:12-13: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another…even as Christ forgave you – so also do ye!” Amen.
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Apr 12, 2021 | Miscellaneous
Well, dear ones, here we still are – in a stand still state — as far as moving forward into a regular camp season. Please pray with us that the Lord will lead all of us into being free – once and for all – from the fear and restrictive regulatory mandates of the pandemic! Saturday, the third, was to be our first work day in our normal preparation agenda for having our 2021 summer camps! Unfortunately, as long as the present restrictions are in place upon us – our normal operation as a camp continues to be prevented. We will, however – Lord willing — make a shift like we did last year and invite whole family groups to come out and allow them to go through a day of Del-Haven Camp activities (including swimming, fishing, outdoor recreation, crafts and of course Bible Study Time). And, as soon as the pandemic restrictions are lifted — we will try to put together a regular camp session(s) – as the Lord leads.
There’s nothing too hard – or, wonderful – for our Lord! [See: Jer.32:27] Praise His Name! Let’s together diligently seek Him to guide us – provide for us – protect us – and prosper us — in this worthy evangelistic endeavor! All glory to the Lord Jesus Christ!
Please do not forget to pray for all the children that have come – and that want to come – to camp. And, Please pray for all the young people who volunteer to serve on our staff. They all suffer from all of this negative impact on our not being able to have regular camp sessions. The annual practice of the good and Godly habit of being at Del-Haven during the summer months has been prevented from its performance. The longer this is allowed, the more difficult it is to resume! A great deal of what the Lord has done with His ministry here has been manifested in the fact that over the six plus decades we have existed – we have seen a ministry of the gospel of the glory, only, of Christ — grow into being generational in its capacity and its outreach. Please pray with us that this – by God’s will and good pleasure – be allowed to effectually continue.
We have been – and are – encouraged by the showing of your faithful and prayerful support of Del-Haven. The upkeep of this place always presents unexpected challenges, such as the water heater in the dining hall that needs to be replaced – but our Lord ever demonstrates His hearing and answering our prayers! Praise His Name! Your faithful, prayerful support is the tangible evidence of this “Truth as it is in Jesus”. We love and pray for all of you.
by John Carpenter | Jan 18, 2021 | Miscellaneous
Donation/Gift receipts will be mailed out before the end of January 2021. Please let us know if you did not receive yours or if you have any questions.
by John Carpenter | Nov 23, 2020 | Devotional, Miscellaneous
(14) But continue thou – in the things which thou hast learned (15) …the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation – through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (17) that the man of God – may be perfect – thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” [2Tim.3:14,15 & 17]
“That ye would walk worthy of God – who hath called you unto His Kingdom and Glory. (13) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us – ye received it not as the word of men – but as it is in truth, the Word of God – which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” [1Thes.2:12-13]
“Now the God of peace – that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus – that Great Shepherd of the sheep – through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant (21) make you perfect in every good work – to do His will – working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight – through Jesus Christ – to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen!” [Heb.13:20-21]
If the divine purpose of a sinner/child of God – still alive in this worldly flesh – and still traversing through this fallen-in-sin world – is to have a vital and ongoing – or, shall we say, on–growing – relationship with the Word of God so that he “may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” – one might ask: How is this even possible?! Everyone knows that no sinner (and “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”) while in this world is “perfect”. So, how exactly do we possibly fulfill – or, how in the world can we fulfill – this descriptively declared statement that comprises all of 2Tim.3:17?
There’s only one way, dear one – and that’s — “through faith (the faith) which is in Christ Jesus”!
And, that’s precisely what the last two scripture references from 1Thess. and Heb. point out to us. And, it may be summed up in this way: Only by, “Believing”, in the Lord Jesus Christ! Let’s take a brief look at these two references one at a time.
- 1Thess.2:12-13> Right up front vs.12 begins with the commanding exhortation that we – as being true and genuine children of God – who have – by God’s sovereign grace — received God’s Holy Scriptures by the sovereignty and the personal teaching of the Holy Spirit — “would walk worthy of God – who hath called you unto His Kingdom and Glory. This “worthy walk” is a walk only by faith in the person and being – of the perfect walk of the Lord Jesus Christ! And for us who are His “Believing” in Him – is “Believing” – in the overall reality that He truly is our sovereign Savior/Substitute! His eternally accomplished and totally successful “worthy walk” – was done on behalf of us for whom He was sent into this world to save! Therefore – in, by and through Him – we are viewed by all of Holy Heaven as He, Himself, is viewed! Hence, through His work – we have been perfected – and “thoroughly furnished unto all good works” just as described in 2Tim.3:17.
- He.13:20-21> These two verses list for us nine descriptive declarations concerning God’s all-glorious work in His saving, keeping — instructing and preserving — all of His saved and quickened ones as they live and sojourn through this fallen world. This text makes it clear and plain that if – your soul’s eternal salvation – is not dependent all on Christ – then it’s all wrong! And, right in the middle of the 9 statements is: “make you perfect in every good work”. It’s all by His doing – and it’s all being done according to His will – “through Jesus Christ”! All Praise and Glory unto the Name of the Savior!
For Christ’s Glory Only! -John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Apr 20, 2020 | Camp News, Miscellaneous
These are trying days that have come upon us. Right at this moment it yet remains to be seen whether, or not, it will be possible to even have Del-Haven’s regular camp season! The Corona-virus is indeed a pestilence that the Lord has allowed to have been thrust upon our world. His judgments are just and perfect! No matter what people may say or think — its presence and its impact on our lives has happened, and is happening right now in our midst. And, our sovereign God has been – and still is – in complete control of it all! He was in control when it first broke out – and He will be in control of it when it finally will end. Please pray with us in regards to these serious matters! As always in this fallen world – God will either manifest Himself as our Savior, or as our Judge – and that will be the case whether it means life , or death. God’s Word will forever remain to be true – “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord – shall be saved.” [Ro.10:13] Therefore, let us go before His eternal throne humbly seeking His salvation.
There is another text of scripture — Pr.3:5-6 – that has traditionally become a standard among all of our campers here at Camp Del-Haven. Its message is very relevant unto us right now! It says: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart – and lean not unto thine own understanding – in all thy ways acknowledge Him – and He shall direct thy path.” These are words upon which we may live out our whole lives upon this earth. Again, I humbly request your earnest prayers for the Lord’s Will to be done for Camp Del-Haven this summer.
No matter what the circumstances dictate to us – we always need to be praying for the precious children that have come to camp – and especially the ones whose hearts were set on coming this year. This unusual adversity that we are currently experiencing can be especially disconcerting to those that are young in the faith. Times like this — that are out of our control – serve to cause us to depend completely upon our wonderful Savior which is a good thing [Romans 8:28]. He is ever faithful and completely trustworthy!
By the way, we have another special prayer request. Last month the hot water heater in our Chapel broke down and flooded throughout the building. This means that it needs to be replaced. The expense is going to run right around $300. Please be in prayer with us concerning this need.
by John Carpenter | Mar 12, 2020 | Camp News, Miscellaneous
Well, dear family in Christ, once we get through March we will begin the countdown of work weekends to the Camp Del-Haven 2020 camp season! The arduous task(s) of camp preparation will officially be upon us. Please begin at once in praying with us as we face all that needs to be done. As with all that we ever do – we seek first the wisdom and guidance of our great Savior in this His ministry. We covet your prayerful involvement – as always.
Our standard prayer, of course, is for all the boys and girls that have come to camp in the past – and especially that will be coming to camp this year. The ongoing practice of praying has a great deal to do with the fact of the generational legacy that – by the grace of God – is already happening as far as the ministry of Del-Haven is concerned! Praise the Savior! And, all of you who have been so loyal to support us in your praying with us – our Lord has made you to be a real stalwart part of this reality. We love you and we thank our sovereign, almighty God for you!
Then, likewise, there is the matter of our staff help. We do have some faithful ones that we are so glad to see returning each year – but we are always in need of quality mature Christian male and female helpers. This, too, is something that we depend on the Lord to provide – so, prayer for this provision from His hand is vitally necessary! Please continue to join with us in this particular prayerful endeavor. We thank you in advance for your continual support in this regard.
Thanks so much for your wonderful response in regards to the lifeguard training expense. Praise the Name of our great and gracious Savior!
Summer Volunteers Needed
If you, or someone you know, is interested in serving the Lord with us this summer, please contact Sheri at 816-690-8465 or sheri@campdelhaven.org for more information. We are in need of both adult and young volunteers over the age of 14.
