by John Carpenter | Nov 24, 2024 | Devotional
(6) “As ye have therefore received – Christ Jesus the Lord – so Walk ye In Him. (7) Rooted and Built up In Him – and Established – in the Faith – as ye have been taught – Abounding ThereIn with (or, more lit. “In”) Thanksgiving” [Col.2:6-7]
(11) “In Whom also – ye are Circumcised with the circumicision made without hands – In the Putting off the body of the sins of the flesh — In the Circumcision of Christ (12) Buried with Him – In Baptism – WhereIn also – ye are Risen with Him – through – The Faith — of the operation of God, Who hath Raised Him from the dead.” [Col.2:11-12]
“I am crucified With Christ – nevertheless I live — yet not I, but Christ – liveth In me – and the life which I now live In the flesh – I live by the Faith of the Son of God – who loved me and gave Himself for me. (21) I do not frustrate the grace of God – for if Righteousness came by the law – then Christ is dead In vain.” [Gal.2:20-21]
In last month’s devotional we examined the message of the Holy Spirit from Gal.2:16 – which was the fact that – the Faith that saves us – is none other than the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ! Now, this month, we want to see clearly that – it is also the Faith of Christ by which we are clothed with – and by which we walk – day by day – through the deceitful darkness of this world. Hence, the first text listed above clearly states> “As ye have therefore received – Christ Jesus the Lord – so Walk ye In Him. Rooted and built up In Him – and Established – In the Faith – as ye have been taught – Abounding ThereIn with – THANKSGIVING!” [Col.2:6-7] HALLELUJAH!!
Remember last month how we also alluded to 2Cor.13:5? How that from that text we are commanded to Examine ourselves whether we are – “In the Faith”? And, the text goes on to say that we are to “prove” our own selves – “How that Jesus Christ” – is In us – “except” (or, unless) we be “reprobates”(?)! (which is a description of being the “seed of the Serpent” and not the “seed of the Savior”) [see Mt.13:37-39] This is why our obedience to 2Cor.13:5 is so important!
This all boils down to our being diligent and victorious in our battle over our own flesh! The Word of God declares plainly that our own hearts are – “deceitful above all things – and desperately wicked…” [Jer.17:9] This being true about us – what are we to do? We are no match against our own flesh – we (our very souls) are in a desperate and hopeless situation! The answer is once again found in the one and only hope – that is our Savior! Col.2:11-12> “In Whom also – ye are Circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands – In Putting off the body of the sins of the flesh – In the Circumcision of Christ! (12) Buried with Him – In baptism – WhereIn ye are Risen with Him – Through the Faith of the operation of God – Who hath Raised Him from the dead!” If it’s not all Christ – it’s all wrong!! Praise His Holy Name! Yes – even His Circumcision – is the Circumcision – of all the ones that God the Father has given unto God the Son (Who is the Savior Son of man – the Lord Jesus Christ).
This is why we can dogmatically say with the apostle Paul: “I am crucified With Christ – never–theless I live — yet not I, but Christ – liveth In me – and the life which I now live In the flesh – I live by the Faith of the Son of God – who loved me and gave Himself for me. (21) I do not frustrate the Grace of God – for if Righteousness came by the law – then Christ is dead In vain.” [Gal.2:20-21]
And, dear ones, Christ our Wonderful Savior is absolutely not – Dead In Vain!” Amen.
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Nov 24, 2024 | Camp News
Oh, my friends and family — In Christ – and fellow warriors in the Ministry of Del-Haven – we do, indeed, have much to be so thankful for! And, we are trusting in the Lord of glory and victory for our future. Let us earnestly pray together for our great God’s continual leadership and provision. “God our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ – is our Hope” [1Ti.1:1].
Let us be in continual prayer for our newly re-elected president – Donald J. Trump – and — as well — all the other newly elected government leaders – and all the newly appointed government officials. This is what is commanded for us to be doing — as God’s chosen people! [see: 1Ti.2:2] Let us pray that He – our God – will lead us through their ruling decisions – in His Peace (which is Christ our Lord) and in accordance with His Righteousness (which is also our Lord Jesus).
We are still in unceasing prayer for our Lord and Savior to draw unto us five male and female – awakened and quickened – true believers – to act as both cabin and camp program leaders with a real passion for the souls of 6 to 12yr. old boys and girls. This is so we can, once again, launch back into regular summer camp sessions throughout their out-of-school summer vacations. Please be in prayer with us in this matter – if the Lord wills that it be done. Thank you.
Hopefully, along with the changes in our government leadership, let us pray that the Lord will be pleased to lead us into an economy — that will be much less inflated – than what we have been experiencing. Hence, we do thank the Lord – continually – for your faithful and prayerful financial support of this ministry. We love you all – for all that you do – when you do it! We pray for you all – that our Lord will be blessing your abilities to survive — whatever the Enemy against us is doing in this world to hamper the progress of the spread of the pure truth of God’s Ever-lasting Gospel. We already know how His Wonderful Book ends – and we — through the Grace and Almighty strength of Christ – will be His Overcomers! Amen? Yes, Amen. — John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Oct 16, 2024 | Devotional
“Knowing that a man is not Justified — by the works of the law – but – by the Faith of Jesus Christ – even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be Justified by the Faith of Christ – and not by the works of the law. For by the works of the law – shall no Flesh be Justified!” [Gal.2:16]
(6) “As ye have therefore received – Christ Jesus the Lord – so walk ye in Him. (7) Rooted and built up in Him – and established – in the Faith – as ye have been taught…” [Col.2:6-7]
(11) “In whom also – ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands – in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ – (12) Buried with Him – in baptism – wherein also – ye are risen with Him – through the Faith of the operation of God – who hath raised Him from the dead.” [Col.2:11-12]
What makes a person a true believer – in Jesus Christ? This is not a trick question by any means!
“Knowing” – the very first word of Gal.2:16 shown above – is a Holy Spirit inspired word that tells us a fact that is dogmatically known and understood. And, that fact which we all must absolutely agree with is the absolute truth that every human being – in this fallen-in-sin world – is not “justified” (or declared sinlessly righteous by Holy God) “by” (or more literally “out of”) “the works of the law.” No, not at all! All of us fallen-in-sin sinners – wherever we’re from – or wherever we are – are justified and declared by Holy God as being sinlessly righteous – by the only way that any sinner can be justified – and that’s “by” (or more literally “through”) “the Faith of Jesus Christ.” It’s His faith that we receive by grace from Him – that causes us to believe in Him. And then the apostle Paul goes on and declares more boldly – when he says – “even WE have believed (meaning himself and all the brethren which are with him in writing this letter unto them – they all – he says – have entered into being believers) in Jesus Christ.” And then he states dogmatically Why – he and they have entered into the company of true believers in Jesus Christ – it is in order that they “might be justified by (or “out of”) the Faith of Christ and not out of the works of the law; for out of the works of the law shall no flesh (i.e. no fallen-in-sin flesh – of which we all have) be justified”! {Note: By more accurately translating the prepositions – one truly helps to clarify the real message of Gal.2:16}.
This touches on a point that really needs to be emphasized. The Faith that saves – needs to be awakened and quickened and nurtured and strengthened by the Holy Spirit in us! Heb.12:2 tells us that Jesus is the author and finisher of our Faith – and that’s because – our Faith is His Faith – which, by His grace, He has given and awakened and quickened into Action inside Us! His Faith is – the Faith that God reckons, or imputes Christ’s righteousness unto us – so that His righteousness becomes – our righteousness. (just like He did unto Abraham; see Rom.4:3-5). 2Co.13:5 commands us to constantly be examining ourselves. How? By the Holy Spirit and the Word of God – in order to see whether or not – we are truly – in “the Faith”! We must be diligent to do just that!
Since we have embarked on this particular subject – there is so much more that is gloriously connected with understanding our truly believing in the Lord Jesus Christ – that we will be addressing more of what the above scriptural context has to deliver.
All of this – once again – underscores the fact that where our eternal salvation is concerned – If it’s not all (out of) Christ Jesus (His person and work entirely) – It’s all wrong! Praise His Name! — John Carpenter
“But without Faith it is impossible to please Him. For he that cometh to God – must believe that He is – and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
By Faith Noah – being warned of God of things not seen as yet – moved with fear – prepared an Ark to the saving of his house – by the which he condemned the world – and became heir of the righteousness which is by Faith.” Hebrews 11:6-7
by John Carpenter | Oct 16, 2024 | Camp News
Dear family in Christ, 2024 is delivering to us its especially beautiful Autumn season. The trees are already manifesting their true colors. It is indeed wonderful to behold! Our Creator God and Savior allows us to see and experience this time of brilliant splendor! Praise His Name!
This time of year also means that we will be working to cut up the trees that have blown down all over the campground. We will not have to worry where to go to find a resource for firewood. It’s lying all over the campground.
From one end of the camp to the other, we can see evidence of wind damage from the ongoing storms we experienced this year that took out many trees. And, once again, the Lord our God bears testimony of His great goodness in preserving us — in all areas of the campground of Del-Haven — in that — not one of our buildings or structures has been damaged!
To better understand God’s gracious placement of all these fallen limbs and trunks, we offer the following pictures as proof of His providential care.
The specific details of the damage are as follows. Starting from the Halls’ home (located at the south end of the campground near our Chapel), a big tree is down that thankfully missed their house.
In the area of our Dining Hall, Camper Restroom and Shower House building – there are 3 big trees that have been blown down which just missed destroying our Craft Building! Then, between the Shelter House and the Dining Hall, there are more huge limbs scattered on the ground along with some big Hickory trees that were blown down as well.
Moving past the Shelter House to where our Swimming Pool and Campfire Site are located (as well as where our Basketball Court and Dormitory are) – we have some wind damage evidence that includes 3 other big trees that are harmlessly on the ground (just waiting to be cut up for firewood).
All of this has happened (totally out of our control – except — not out of earshot of our prayers to the Sovereign Savior who watches over us) to demonstrate, once again, the Great Faithfulness of our Lord God.
Thank you for your continual Prayerful Support of this ministry! We love and pray for you. — John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Sep 15, 2024 | Devotional
“And Moses said unto the people, fear ye not! Stand still – and see the salvation of the Lord – which He will show to you today! For the Egyptians whom ye have seen today – ye shall see them again – no more forever! (14) The Lord shall fight for you – and ye shall hold your peace” (Ex.14:13-14).
“When I cry unto thee – then shall mine enemies turn back – this I know – for God is for me!… In God have I put my trust. I will not fear what man can do unto me… For thou hast delivered my soul from death – wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling – that I may walk before God in the Light of the Living?” (Ps.56:9,11,13).
All of us who have been quickened and awakened by the Holy Spirit – and the pure Truth of the Word of God – in regards to the eternally redeeming person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ – have become aware of the reality – of the Spiritual Warfare – that has been and still is raging all around us – at all times. If this reality is not being revealed unto us – then it – most likely must be true that – our spiritual quickening and awakening – is still needing to be fulfilled.
When the apostle Paul had his life-changing experience with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6) – little did he realize that his whole life in this world would immediately be changed! After the Lord Jesus came and got him – nothing was ever the same! All that he had learned through his education as a church-going Pharisee – by his own admission (see Phil.3:7-10) became of no value to his saving relationship with the Lord Jesus. Suddenly – the completed work of Christ (as his Kinsman Redeemer) was revealed unto him – and from that moment on – Jesus – became his “all and in all” (Col.3:11). From that moment on – the real spiritual battles that surrounded him on every side – became the focus of his whole world.
This is what is depicted throughout the whole Bible – for ALL of God’s eternally saved ones!
Note the context of the first scripture above from Ex.14:13. The children of Israel had been sur-viving in Egypt for 400 years! Their whole lives in this world was becoming a generational heritage of bond-slavery to the Egyptians! They cried out to God for their deliverance from their oppression until the burning flame of all their hopes had become barely glowing embers. And this was the very providence of Moses – whom God raised up and sent to them – to lead them to victory and freedom from their enemies.
Dear ones, this is a picture of all of God’s people in every generation of this sinful world! Yes! This is a picture of us in this world right NOW! Like the Israelites – with the impossible depths of the Red Sea in front of them – and destruction and death from their enemies right behind them – their whole world looked like a disaster to say the least. But God – will always come through for His true children! Praise His Wonderful Name! Let us call unto Him – who has been and still is OUR wonderful Savior! Read the whole context of both Ex.14 and Ps.56.
The same Savior that Moses called on to do – what only He could do – is whom we call on today! All glory to God! This is the grand realization that is gifted to us when we read and study the Word of God. He communicates to us this same meaning and message of His Salvation. Note how God caused Moses to tell them to stop looking behind them – and move forward (see Phil.3:14). He told them – not to fear – but to “stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord”. And, how great it will be when our Lord will tell us, “The enemies we see today, we will see them no more forever.” — John Carpenter
