by John Carpenter | Apr 17, 2026 | Devotional
“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]
Since January we have been looking at these texts which focus on God’s promise unto Abraham, Sarah – and their Seed. We have concluded that – according to the Bible – God’s Promise unto Abraham (including Sarah and their Seed, Isaac) – where the history of this fallen world is concerned – is the Gospel Promise of the Glory, only, of our Lord Jesus Christ – the only Sovereign Savior Substitute – that there ever was – is – or ever will be. And, this “Promise of the Gospel of God” – unto His chosen one Abraham – constitutes God’s declaration and report of God’s Gospel of Eternal Salvation – unto all His Elect! This is what is referred to from Ge.12:1-3 where it is recorded what God spoke directly to Abram – when He said unto him:
“Get thee out of thy country – and from thy kindred and from thy father’s house – unto a land that I will show thee (2) And I will make thee a Great Nation – and I will Bless thee and make thy name Great and thou shalt be a Blessing.(3) And I will Bless them that bless thee – and curse him that curseth thee – and in thee shall All Families of the Earth be Blessed!”
This Gospel Truth is made clear and plain from the Word of God – in the apostle Paul’s epistle unto the Galatians in the New Testament. (See Ga.3:8> “And the scripture foreseeing that God – would Justify the Heathen through Faith – Preached before – the Gospel unto Abraham – saying – in thee shall All Nations Be Blessed!”) Paul – inspired by the Holy Spirit – correlates this statement concerning God as the one proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ unto Abraham – in His telling him that He (God) was going to Bless him and spiritually impact every Family in all the Nations of fallen and sinful earth!
Now we know from history that God did not mean everybody in all the earth – but “Somebody” from every Family in fallen earth’s history! This points directly to the Biblical Doctrine of God’s personal Election unto Eternal Salvation! This makes the Bible (earthly) story – of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac – a phenomenal and spiritually significant paradigm of the whole History of Redemption! This gives us a description of the Entire Elect Family of God – whom the Father gave unto His Only Begotten Son – and then sent Him into this world to Save them (see 1Ti.1:15). And as being God’s Eternal Lamb – Slain from the Foundation of this sinful fallen world (see Re.13:8) – He then Sealed All Their Eternal Salvation (see 2Ti.2:19) through His Resurrection from among the sinful dead! Which Resurrection we have just celebrated just this last Sunday – Praise the Name of Our Risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!
And, just think of it – all of us who have been drawn to Christ – He Will Raise Up Us – Also! Amen!
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Apr 17, 2026 | Camp News
Dear friends, it is always wonderful to witness the way our Lord has ordained the change of the seasons. Coming out of winter into spring — is another paradigm of the Resurrection – what was dead comes back with new life! Praise His Name!
In keeping in tune with that wonderful reality – I now make the announcement that my brother, Dr. Steven Carpenter was literally “delivered from the power of darkness – and translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son.” This Wonderful event occurred while he was sleeping – sometime early in the morning of the 16th of March. As a result of this – we all need to be in prayer for Jeanne, Steve’s wife – and for all of their whole family (children and grandchildren and great grandchildren).
There is a Go Fund Me that has been set up for our convenience so we can financially assist in helping to meet Jeanne’s needs at this particularly hard time. That being said, however, if anyone feels moved by the Lord to want to help Jeanne with this expense – just send your gift to Del-Haven and put in the memo of your check that this is for Steve – and we will make sure that it gets to Jeanne in Texas. We will all miss him — until we see him again when we are reunited together in Gloryland in the Glorious Presence of Jesus our Wonderful Savior!
The Lord used my big brother in a major way in my personal spiritual life. We were very close –it has been a great blessing in my life to have such an excellent, loving and thorough Bible Teacher for a brother. I Praise the Lord for him!
Camp work is also transitioning. Our man, Jeff, is preparing right now to send out an email to the campers that have been to Del-Haven — that we will open up for the whole family to come out here and experience: A Day Of Camp Del-Haven. They will be able to experience the very same activities that the kids love. Including Bible Class, Swimming, Fishing, Making a Craft project, etc. – the “whole nine yards”! We have had a wonderful response in the last few years to this approach. Plus, we can proclaim the Gospel of the Glory – only – of the Lord Jesus Christ in this way unto the whole family! We will even allow the children to bring some of their friends with them. Please remember to pray for a great response to our Email Campaign For Christ.
In keeping with the Resurrection Theme of this month – I thought a great text would be appropriate — one that describes in a beautiful way what great heights our Lord was raised up to…
“Looking unto Jesus – the Author and Finisher
of Faith – who for the Joy that was set before Him
Endured the Cross – despising the shame –
and is set down at the right hand –
of the Throne of God!”
[Heb.12:2]
Thank you all – we love you!
by John Carpenter | Mar 16, 2026 | Devotional
“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 (God) had Promised – He (God) was able also to perform.” [Ro.4:20-21]
Last month we made some brief comments on Ro.4:13 – the context of which truly describes and defines God’s “Promise” unto Abraham – and his “Seed”. This text plainly reveals that our Sovereign Lord God is the One who makes His “Promise” unto Abraham (and Sara) and his (Earthly and Spiritual) “Seed”! It is, also, “This Gospel Truth Event” which the Holy Spirit uses to — inspire the Apostle Paul when he declares unto the pagan and demon worshipping Galatians – that when God Promised Abraham and his “Seed” – that the Galatians, too, were included among the “Seed of Abraham”! Why? because they, also, truly believed in God through his preaching! It is through the Righteousness of Faith that describes and defines Who really are Abraham’s Seed!
This is what the Word of God says: “Even as Abraham believed God, – and it was accounted to him for Righteousness. (7) Know ye therefore – that they which are of Faith – THEY – are the Sons of Abraham. (8) And the Scripture foreseeing [or, more literally: God’s Word Foreknowing] that God – would Justify the Heathen through Faith [i.e. God would Justify the Heathen – meaning lit. His elect unto eternal Salvation – even – God’s Elect from out of all heathen nations] Just like He did with Abraham — him being a pagan Chaldean. It is God – who Preached before [i.e. Preached in advance] the Gospel – unto Abraham – saying – In thee shall all nations be Blessed. (9) So then – that which be of Faith [i.e. “of the Faith of Jesus Christ”; see Gal.2:16] – are Blessed with faithful Abraham.” [Gal.3:6-9]
And, hence, there is more than one Righteous conclusion to be made from the overall context of the Ro.4:13-17 and 20-21 texts. Each conclusion that can be drawn — directs all our thoughts directly to the Person and the Eternally Accomplished Work of Christ, our Savior! First of all – Everything that God Promised to Abraham – Abraham “Believed”– Not that he could perform and fulfill God’s Promise – but that Only God, Himself – would be able to perform and fulfill – His own Word of Promise! And, this Eternal Salvation Truth – is the very foundation of a true living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ while we are still here throughout our entire walk through this sinful age! If our Salvation is not – ALL Christ – then it is ALL wrong!
Before we leave this all important Context – we will bring forward more pure Truth Points of the Gospel of Glory, only, of the Lord Jesus. Praise the Saving Name of the Lord!
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Mar 16, 2026 | Camp News
As we transition from winter into warmer Spring days – Please be in prayer as we prepare for our Family Camping Times coming this summer. Pray that our Lord causes us to be well received by all the families we have made a connection with – not only for the sake of ministering to their children, but to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the parents and care providers as well. What a truly wonderful opportunity this has become for the ministry of Camp Del-Haven to proclaim Christ to children and their parents at the same time – and all in the same beautiful outdoor camp environment! Incidentally, if any of you would like to join us as we minister to a family during a scheduled Camping Day – just let us know and we will be happy to include you in the group. You can even participate in the fun activities (like fishing and swimming and hiking).
Currently, we need your prayer support for the urgent work that needs to be done to improve our failing roads. As soon as we get bids from different businesses that do this sort of work, we will report to you what we can expect to pay. Pray that our Lord will lead us to the right source to accomplish this task. If any of you have any suggestions along this line of work – we would welcome them.
We also need some repairs and renovations done on the ceiling of our Dining Hall. If any of you know of an excellent company that we can contact to do this – we would appreciate the suggestions. You can call or email Jeff and let us know. His phone number and email address are located at the right bottom corner of our website.
By the way, we are still trusting, seeking and waiting on our Lord to answer our prayers for His provision of both male and female staff leaders and helpers — so that we can resume holding regular camp sessions with the children. Any and all suggestions in regard to this need will be greatly accepted.
As always – we love and appreciate all of you – for all of your prayerful and faithful support.
May God richly Bless You!
by John Carpenter | Feb 17, 2026 | Devotional
“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 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]
These texts were a large part of the context of our January Prayer/Newsletter. We hope to expand on the fact that the “Promise” is the same as what is being referred to from He.10:23. However, from what is being descriptively declared in the texts above from Ro.4 – the “Promise” is contextually being declared and examined in view of God as – “the Promiser” – instead of Abraham — the one unto whom “the Promise” was given! It is This fact that makes all the difference in the world! And, in addition, through what means “the Promise of God” was being given unto Abraham! Was the “Promise of God” being delivered unto Abraham “through the Law” (?) or “through the Righteousness of Faith”(?). The answer to that is obvious since God would not give His Law until over 400 years later. This descriptively declares that the “Promise of God” was given to Abraham “through the Righteousness of Faith”.
Now then – what exactly does all this really mean? Or, more pointedly – to “Whom” does this phrase really give attention to? We must look a little closer at what Ro.4:13-17 says about God’s Promise to His chosen one – Abraham – whom He “alone” (Is. 51:2) called out of the sinful, pagan environment of Ur of the Chaldees. This great text says of God’s Promise unto Abraham (and his seed) – that it would NOT be fulfilled “through the Law”. No! He told Abraham that His Promise would be fulfilled through a means that was not noticeably even in existence in Abraham’s present sinful, pagan world! God – revealed Himself unto Abraham – and told him to get out of his country – and away from even his kin – and even away from his father’s household! God “Promised” Abram that his family would be made into a “Great Nation”! And, that He would be blessed and that his name would be blessed – and that he would be God’s blessing unto all the families of (sinful, fallen) earth! [See Ge.12:2-3] Indeed, God’s Promised Blessing unto Abraham and his seed would come to pass – NOT through the Law – But through the Righteousness of Faith!
So then, the direction of the communication from Ro.4 – to which — God’s Written Word is taking us – is directly unto Christ Jesus, the Lord! He is forever our heavenly Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous. It is through Him and His eternal wonderful accomplished work – that through Him — as our Kinsman Redeemer – that we have been forever Declared Righteous – and – Forever Saved!
We will continue to look more into this matter – until next time… — John Carpenter
