by John Carpenter | Dec 11, 2025 | Devotional
“Let us hold fast the Confession of (He who is) our Hope – without wavering for He who promised is Faithful.” [He.10:23]
“For the Promise – that he – would be the heir of the World – was not to Abraham – or to his Seed – through the Law – but – through the righteousness of Faith. (14) For if those who are of the Law are heirs – Faith – is made void – the Promise – made of no effect (15) because the Law – brings about Wrath; for where no Law is – there is no Transgression! (16) Therefore, it is of Faith – that it might be – according to Grace – so that the Promise – might be sure to – to all the Seed; not to that only – which is of the Law – but to that – also – which is of the Faith of Abraham – who is the father of us all! (17) According as it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations – before Him whom he believed – God – who quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were!” [Ro.4:13-17]
“He (i.e. Abraham) did not waver – at the Promise of God – through unbelief – but was strengthened in Faith – giving Glory – to God (21) and being fully persuaded that what He had Promised – He was able also to perform.” [Ro.4:20-21]
If you recall, we looked last month at the person and eternally accomplished work of Christ Jesus our eternal Savior – and how He, indeed, is “the full assurance” of our Hope – where the eternal salvation of our soul is concerned. It is all because of Him and Him alone! He has fulfilled all the Holy, Holy, Holy requirements of the Holy, Just – Good and Perfect – Law of God that our salvation demands. He has done this great miraculous work for us all the way to the end of time and then on throughout all of eternity! The Word of the Truth of this Gospel – descriptively declares that if we have been eternally Saved – it has been completely worked out – all by our Lord Jesus Christ! If it’s not all Christ – then it’s all wrong! Our Salvation is a love Gift from our God!
“For God so loved the World – that He gave His only begotten Son – that whosoever believeth in Him – should not perish – but have everlasting life.” [Jn.3:16] “For the wages of sin is death – but the Gift of God is eternal life – through Jesus Christ out Lord.” [Ro.6:23] “For by Grace are ye saved – through Faith – and that not of yourselves – it is the Gift of God – not of works – lest any man should boast!” [Eph.2:8-9] “All that the Father giveth me – shall come to me – and him that cometh to me – I will in no wise cast out!” [Jn.6:37]
The Gift of God is His Son our Savior and Lord. The very context of this present Christmas Season makes it the perfect time to celebrate our reception of our Eternal Redeemer! “As many as Received Him – (lit.) He gave to them authority to be Children of God – to those that believe on His Name; (13) who – not of blood – nor out of the will flesh – nor out of the will of man – but out of God – were born.” [Jn.1:12-13]
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Faith – our Hope – and He is the Love Gift into us from our great and Almighty God. Having taken up residency in our hearts – God’s everlasting Love has come into us – works through us – and becomes increasingly exuded from us – back to Him and to each one of us! We shall see this as the scripture describes it in the coming monthly devotionals. Amen.
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Dec 11, 2025 | Camp News
This month’s devotional is very appropriate for both reflection on the end of the soon to be old year – and the beginning of the new. Why? Even because it is so fitting that the end of our earthly walk with our Lord — should perfectly dove-tail with our heavenly new beginning as He leads us into a whole new year. After all – our Savior is the alpha and omega of Him being our “all and in all!” [Col.3:11]
Dear ones, we have a special prayer request: We just this last month received word of the passing of Roberta Vasholz, a dear friend and supporter of Camp Del-Haven. The Lord called Roberta to Himself on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. She was faithful to support us with her prayers and gifts for many, many years! Please remember to pray for her family and friends and church that survive our Lord’s receiving her unto Himself.
And, as always – my dear family in Christ – let us not relax our importunity in seeking from our Savior – the Lord and Leader – Provider and Protector of Del-Haven – His choice of a Spirit-led Staff of dedicated male and female servants to effectively minister the Gospel unto 6 to 12 yr. old boys and girls. This current generation really needs This kind of ministry setting. We are seeking from the Lord – those special persons — to stand and serve the Lord Jesus Christ with us – to the Glory of God alone!
Your prayerful support in this — is much appreciated – we love just knowing that you are standing with us. We encourage you to go to our website: campdelhaven.org and stay informed with that which we currently need – and that which we are currently doing – all in the Name of our Wonderful Lord and Savior!
For our final text – may the God of our Eternal Salvation – by His great grace – cause us to see our personal names in the place of Paul’s – in this opening text of his letter unto Titus:
“ ____________, a bond-servant of God – and a messenger of Jesus Christ – according – to the faith of God’s elect – and the full acknowledging of the Truth – which is after Godliness: In Hope of Eternal Life – which God – that cannot lie – Promised before eternity began – but hath – in due times – manifested His Word through Preaching which is committed unto us – according to the commandment of God our Savior: Grace, Mercy and Peace – from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ – our Savior.” — Titus 1:1-4
by John Carpenter | Nov 27, 2025 | Devotional
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ – according to the command of God our Savior – and of the Lord Jesus Christ – our Hope (2) to Timothy a true child (lit.) in the Faith — Grace, Mercy, Peace from God our Father – and Christ Jesus our Lord.” [1Ti.1:1-2]
“Christ – as a Son over (lit.) God’s own Household – whose house are we – if, indeed, (lit.) the boldness [or the confidence] and the rejoicing of the Hope – firm (or, stedfast) – unto the end – we should hold.” [He.3:6]
“But we desire each of you — the same diligence – to show – to the full assurance of the Hope – unto the end; (12) that ye be not slothful – but imitators of those who through faith and long patience – inherit the promises. (13) For God having promised to Abraham – since by no one greater than He (Himself) to swear by – He swore by Himself — (14) saying – Surely [or, Assuredly] Blessing – I will Bless thee – and Multiplying – I will Multiply thee! (15) And, thus — having had long patience – he [i.e. Abraham] Obtained the Promise.” [He..6:11-15]
“Let us hold fast – the confession of our Hope [which is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ] – without wavering – He is faithful that promised” [He.10:23]
The above texts describe the encouraging Truth that the Lord Jesus Christ – along with everything else that He is unto His saved ones – He is also: “the Full Assurance of our Hope”!
I printed out the exact wording of these texts from the original language of the New Testament in order to give you the impact of the original translation. What is described here is the actual God-Breathed communication. The first context above is simply Paul’s opening remarks to his first letter to Timothy wherein he identifies himself as an apostle according to the “Command” of God and (as he goes on to say) the Lord Jesus our “Hope”.
The next context comes from the book of Hebrews – and from this book in three different places. The first is from He.3:6 which text announces to us that the Lord Jesus as the Son of God incarnate is the Head of God’s own Household and in whom we have been eternally saved by Him – in fact, we are His Household! And, we always will be – even while we are still in this fallen-in-sin world – as long as we hold fast to the Truth – concerning Who it is that is our certain Hope – which is all and only Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior! Praise His Wonderful Name!
Next we turn to He.6:11-15 and we see this same theme more fully expanded. From this text it is announced that each one of God’s – by grace saved sinner/children – still in this world — have a full assurance of Hope that Jesus Christ is their full and complete salvation — all the way to the end! And it’s all Christ’s doing! We hold fast to Him – because He has an eternal hold upon each one of us! He has done it all – and that’s just way that it is – Praise His Name! This points us to He.10:23 where we are told that our Hope – has been by God – eternally fulfilled – in our Lord Jesus Christ.
What God has promised – He has done through His Son, our everlasting Savior! Lord willing we will see exactly what that means – more fully.
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Nov 27, 2025 | Camp News
Well, once more we approach the end of another year. The environment of Del-Haven is made simply brilliant by the multicolored leaves of its trees. Plus, the sunsets have been just fabulous! I just love this time of year. The manifestations of our Creator God are indeed wonderful!
Thank you for your prayers concerning Jeff. He seems to be doing quite well – even though he is still under a doctor’s care. Please continue to lift him up before the Lord – as we trust that you do for all of us. We are encouraged about the fact that the last family that we ministered to during this last summer voiced that they all wanted to come back and also to put them on our monthly newsletter list. The drawing grace of our Lord and Savior – is it not grand? Thank you, Lord.
We have added some extra window covering to our Dining Hall – as preparation for the Winter that is coming right up. Anything that we can do to cut back the need for propane will be a help. Jeff, Theresa and Skip did a great job in the accomplishment of that task. Also, I have asked for a man to come out and survey our main road to see what – and how much – it would cost to make the road smoother so the bottom of our cars won’t continue to drag in some places. Please pray with us where this is concerned. Thank you in advance for doing so – please know that your prayers are highly treasured by us. We love you – have a great Thanksgiving!
by John Carpenter | Oct 29, 2025 | Devotional
(9) “Now I rejoice – not that ye were made sorry – but that ye sorrowed unto Repentance: for ye were made sorry after a Godly manner…(10) For Godly sorrow – worketh Repentance to Salvation – not to be repented of: but sorrow of the world – worketh Death! (11) For behold this selfsame thing – that ye sorrowed after a Godly sort! What Carefulness it wrought in you – yea – What Clearing of Yourselves – yea – What Indignation – yea – What Fear – yea – What Vehement Desire – yea – What Zeal – yea – What Revenge! In all things ye have Approved Yourselves to be Clear in this matter!” [2Cor.7:9-12]
Before we go any further in our devotional study – let’s be sure to clarify the difference – between True and False Repentance. This particular text from Second Corinthians is one from which we can do just that. The pure truth of a chosen sinner/child of God – under the leading of the inescapable and irresistible influence of the Holy Spirit of God – awakening in them the foreboding reality of their being a hopeless and helpless sinner – is here very graphically – and descriptively announced! And, this experience must happen to any and all – who have truly been Saved by God’s Grace! Jn.1:17 literally says: “For the Law was given through Moses – the Grace and the Truth – through Jesus Christ – came.” Praise the Lord that our Eternal Salvation is not accomplished – in the Law – but only – In Christ our Lord and Savior! And, we – who are His true sinner/children in this fallen-in-sin world – God has placed us in His Son – and chosen us in His Son – unto His Eternal Salvation — “before the foundation of the world” (see: Eph.1:3-4).
From Mt.13:38 Jesus tells us in His Parable of the Wheat and the Tares that this world is His field — and His Good Seed that He has planted in His field represents the Children of His Kingdom. He also goes on to additionally say that the Tares – are the Children of the Wicked One! This explains a lot! When we are born into this world – we are born to be either the Seed of the Savior — that He has planted to come to life at His appointed time — or we are the Seed of the Serpent, the Wicked Devil. Those who are the Seed of the Savior – are totally dependent upon the Savior for their survival and their growth – especially while they are in this world – to inevitably come into hearing of the pure truth of the Gospel of the Glory – only – of Christ — so as to be awakened and quickened by His eternally saving Gospel of His Grace! Jesus said from Jn.15:5 “I am the Vine and ye are the branches; he that abideth in me and I in him – the same bringeth forth much fruit – for without me ye can do nothing!” And then from Jn.15:16 He goes on to declare “Ye have not chosen me – but I have chosen you – and ordained you – that ye should go and bring forth much fruit – and that your fruit should remain – and whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father – in my Name – He may give it you. These things (that’s all the things He has said in Jn.15) I Command you that ye love one another!”
Does not our Lord Jesus mean exactly what He says? Indeed He does – therefore, without Him – we cannot truly and genuinely Repent as 2Co.7:11 says! Without Christ – it’s ALL wrong! By God’s Grace — We are made Complete – In Him!
Make no mistake about it – the Repentance described in the New Testament is no different than the Repentance taught in the Old Testament. John the Baptist – whom Jesus declares from Lk.7:28 that there is no greater prophet than him – baptized sinners unto Repentance as a ministry of Preparation — for the Redeeming and miraculous work of the Messiah, Himself! And, when John saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism – he said unto them, “O generation of vipers (seeds of the Serpent> see Gen.3:15) who hath warned you to flee from the Wrath to come? Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet (or, truly describing and displaying real) Repentance! And think not to say within yourselves – We have Abraham as our father – for I say unto you – that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham! And already also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees! Therefore, every tree which bringeth not forth Good Fruit – is hewn down – and cast into the fire!” Then John goes on to say unto them: “I indeed baptize you with water unto Repentance – but He that cometh after me is mightier than I – whose shoes I am not worthy to bear – He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire; whose fan is in His hand and He will thoroughly purge His floor – and gather His Wheat into the garner – but He will burn up the Chaff (the Tares) with Unquenchable Fire!” [Mt.3:7b-12]
This devotional message needs to be sounded out to churches everywhere. Amen.
— John Carpenter
