by John Carpenter | Apr 10, 2018 | Devotional, Miscellaneous
“And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty 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…” [Eph.1:19-21]
This is the month in which we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, this text is indeed a good one to examine. Of all the different scriptural contexts that describe the genuine faith of the true believer who is still in this fallen world – this is one of the most amazing! For this portion of scripture plainly declares that true saving faith is all of God!
In these three verses, “power”, is being alluded to from five different original sources – and all of which are describing the power of our Lord God. It is no wonder that Jesus, Himself, declared from Jn.6:29: “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” In Eph.1:19, the Spirit of God through Paul declares that it, “is the exceeding greatness of God’s power to us who believe…”.The word used here for “power” literally means: miraculous power. This is a divine supernatural “power” that is not of this world at all! This is the same word for “power” that is used in Ro.1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. For it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…” And then, the rest of Eph.1:19 really nails it when it goes on to describe of those who truly do believe – that they believe “according to the working of God’s mighty power”!
The original word that is translated as “working” is uniquely used in the New Testament, in that, it is used only in reference to supernatural power – whether of God, or of the Devil. We get our English word “energy” from this Greek word. It describes supernatural power in exercise. In this context where genuine faith in Christ is concerned – it is God’s supernatural power in exercise. Check out the way that it is used as the word for “operation”, when describing “faith” in Col.2:12: “the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Jesus from the dead. Next, there are the two words: “mighty power”. “Mighty” is from a word that connotes “strength” as it is used in Mk.12:30: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart – soul – mind – and strength”. But, in Eph.1:19 it is in direct reference with God’s “strong and mighty power”! The word that is inspired here — by the Holy Spirit — is a word that denotes a manifested “power” as being a specific act of God. Hence, all of these words connote the powerful and gracious work of God on our behalf – making us to be His true believing children while we are still in this tribulation filled world.
Eph.1:20-21 tells us that He completely wrought all of this out for us “in Christ”. According to Eph.1:3-4, this is where He chose us and placed us before the foundation of the world. Then it says that this was all completely worked out for us, “when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places, (21) far above all principality and power [This fifth word for “power” means sovereign authority] and might and dominion – and every name that is named – not only in this [fallen-in-sin] world – but also in that which is to come” [the glorious new heavens and new earth wherein righteousness dwells]. In short, the sovereign power that God exercises and demonstrates in bestowing upon us the grace of His true saving faith is the same strong and mighty power that He gloriously manifested when He raised His beloved, incarnated and eternal Son from the dead! Praise His all-powerful Name!
For Christ’s Glory Only,
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Mar 28, 2018 | Camp News, Miscellaneous
Email sheri@campdelhaven.org for more information.
by John Carpenter | Mar 28, 2018 | Camp News, Miscellaneous
2018 Summer Camp Schedule
If you or someone you know may be interested in a summer ministry opportunity, have them contact us at 816-690-8465 or sheri@campdelhaven.org. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. You may also refer to our camp website www.campdelhaven.org.
| Staff Training |
June 4-6 |
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| Boys and Girls 6 to 8 |
June 18-21 |
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Boys and Girls 6 to 8 |
July 16-19 |
| Girls 9 to 12 |
June 25-28 |
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Girls 9 to 12 |
July 23-26 |
| Boys 9 to 12 |
July 9-12 |
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Boys 9 to 12 |
July 30 – Aug. 2 |
by John Carpenter | Feb 22, 2018 | Camp News, Miscellaneous
Praises and Prayer Requests
Well, my dear friends, we are in the midst of the cold time of winter! I have had to diligently work to keep firewood cut in order to feed the wood stove in our dining hall. That really helps us to save money as far as our propane gas bill is concerned. It also helps in warming up the building where much renovating work in our kitchen is being done. Please remember to pray for the crew of God-sent men who are doing such a wonderful job in our kitchen and shower house. They truly are a blessing! We praise our Lord and Savior for each one of them.
As always, dear ones, please remember to pray for the Lord’s provision of staff members. We relish the return each year of the young men and women that have already been a part of the camp Del-Haven staff experience. Nevertheless – circumstances always bring about change, and “necessity requirements “force many of our wonderful workers to have to forego being available to help us during the summer. This is all a part of having to deal with this passing-away-world. We need to always be praying for the Lord to lead to us good quality staff that can effectually be used in ministering to the campers. Our God is, indeed, a prayer answering God! Please pray with us for our staff.
Of course, the whole ministry centers around the children. Satan has always targeted the most vulnerable among us! He has always been after our children. Jesus loves the little children. He even taught the disciples that except they be converted and become like a little child – they would in no wise enter into the Kingdom of heaven [Mt.18:3]! Let us continue to be persistent to pray for the boys and girls that our Lord chooses to send through our camp program. Satan is, indeed, relentless in threatening and battling against Del-Haven’s very existence. However, we praise our Lord God and His grace because He is ever faithful to sustain us so we can carry on! You all are a large part of the reality of that divine sustenance. We thank and praise God for all of you. We love and pray for you, too.
“Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us:for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.” [Is.26:12]
by John Carpenter | Feb 22, 2018 | Devotional, Miscellaneous
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction – and many there be which go in thereat: (14) because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life — and few there be that find it.” [Mt.7:13-14]
“For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow His steps…” [1Pe.2:21]
The words of Jesus in the first text above were spoken near to the end of His sermon on the mount. They are words that are obviously divinely used to set the stage for our drawing a mental picture of the coming day of judgment. The gospel (or, good news) of the glory, only, of the Lord Jesus Christ is replete with wonderful statements that describe a true believer avoiding an unfavorable personal experience in their individual judgment. Jn.5:24, Ro.8:1 and 1Jn.4:17 to name just three texts that prove this to be true.
It is obvious also from the context of the Mt.7:13-14 text that in that day of final judgment there are going to be some eye opening and foreboding realities. There will be many who thought they would be favorably received by our Lord – only to find out that they were wrong! Jesus describes the sad event from vs.21-23. He said, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And – in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then I will profess unto them – I never knew you.” [I.e. lit., intimately know them like a father knows his children, or a bridegroom knows his bride] Then, with foreboding finality He says: “Depart from me – ye that work iniquity.”
Sadly, it is these persons that prove to be examples of what God’s Word declares as a warning from Pr.16:25. Which text tells us: “There is a way that seems right unto a man – but the end thereof are the ways of death!” These persons that Jesus refers to here believed that they were living and walking through this fallen world as being true believers and ministers of the Lord. Their profession indicates that they regarded Jesus as being their Lord! Nevertheless, their lives were not being lived according to the Father’s will. This fact should make one stop and think!
How do we truly know that our lives are fulfilling the Biblical description of those whom Jesus refers to as those that, will do the Father’s will and enter into the Kingdom of heaven? The all important descriptive phrase in vs.21as: “he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven”. The answer to how we can know that we are living and doing the will of the Father — centers squarely upon the person and work of the Holy Spirit of God. Why? Because it is the Spirit that bears witness with our spirit “that we are the children of God – and if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ”! For“…the things of God knoweth no man – but the Spirit of God.” And “As many as are led by the Spirit of God – these are the sons (or, the children) of God!”[Ro.8:16; 1Co.2:11; Ro.8:14]
The way for God’s fallen and sinful children in this world to enter into His heavenly Kingdom is very narrow and very hard to find. Indeed, it is a one man charted course – a one man forged pathway. Jesus is the only way, truth and life. No man comes unto the Father, but by Him. He is our one and only Savior. We desperately need the soul-quickening Holy Spirit to guide us in His footsteps through this world of darkness and trouble. We need the Word of God – I.e. the living Word of God – to be the shinning lamp unto our feet – from here to there! Praise His wonderful Name! Amen.
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jan 17, 2018 | Camp News, Miscellaneous
Take note that we are getting ready to mail out tax deductible receipts for gifts and donations that have been received in 2017. If there are any mistakes, or discrepancies – please let us know so we can correct it. You can call us at (816) 690-8465.
