by John Carpenter | Mar 13, 2023 | Devotional
[Jer.31:3] [Eph.3:17-19] [2Co.5:14-15]
(11) “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you saith the Lord, thoughts of Peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (12) Then shall ye call upon me – and ye shall go and pray unto me – and I will hearken unto you.(13) And ye shall seek me — and find me – when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord – and I will turn away your captivity…” [Jer.29:11-14]
The scripture references above the Jer.29 text — are what last month’s devotional touched upon. They are all obviously scriptures that describe and explain something of God’s great love for each of those whom He has determined and decreed to be eternally chosen, redeemed and saved by His great grace. In regards to the great works and ways of the gracious reality of our Lord God’s infinite and eternal love in our personal and individual salvation experience – we are now ready to address the last scriptural reference from Jer.29:11. We will have to include vs.12-14 for contextual purposes. For there is in this text described a real Cause and Effect reality – on an individual and personal level – that is being pictured! And, in the picture that is being drawn from Jer.29:11-14 — it is the none other than the loving longing of our Lord that is the real Cause. In other words, the “Expectation” of vs.11 is – God’s “expected end”. Which in itself works out in becoming that which fulfills in each one of His eternally saved-by-grace children – their prayerful seeking after Him! Hence, this text – in it’s entirety – becomes one of the eternal foundations of a true believer’s real assurance of their eternal standing in Christ.
All that is said in vs.11-14 is sourced in the Omniscience of our eternally loving and saving God. It is His thoughts and His ways – which are not at all our thoughts and our ways [see: Is.55:8-9] – that make up the expectation of our Almighty God who has loved us and done all that is both necessary and required to save us. Which includes all that He, in turn, Causes us to become as being His true children! Because He fulfills His loving longing for us – we, in turn, become all that through Him we (as a result) pray for — hope for – and strive for – even while we are still here in these earthly bodies and circumstances enduring all that is a part of this age of sin and death! We have the Spirit of God – whom – both God the Father and God the Son has sent unto us; and through whom the Triune God– eternally abides in us(!) [see: Jn.14:16-17,23,26; 15:26].
This is what Phil.1:6 alludes to when it says: “Being confident of theis very thing, that He (our Lord God) which hath begun a good work in you – will perform it (or, perfect it) until the day of Jesus Christ.” Likewise, everything in Jer.29:12-14 is the Effect of what the Lord God declares to be true of Himself being the gracious Cause in vs.11. The Spirit of God bears witness unto the spirit of each one of His children that His divine and holy thoughts toward him are all His thoughts of Peace and not of evil. And, that sinner/child receives that gospel of grace message and then cries out “upon the Name of the Lord” to prove that they’re one of His saved ones! [see: Rom.10:13] Then a change of behavior takes over His sinner/child. He begins to seek the Lord in prayer like never before. This is a behavior that takes hold on him and does not let him go. No; instead this behavior becomes even more and more intense. It becomes an unbreakable and holy habit! He longs for the Lord to be in his daily life and walk throughout the struggles of this fallen-in-sin world. He is bound to praying and seeking the Lord until he finds Him and gets ahold of Him and will not let Him go. And why is this victory so certainly to be realized? Even because all of God’s thoughts, intentions and motives are “of Peace – and not of evil” – Forever!
by John Carpenter | Feb 20, 2023 | Camp News
Well, winter is officially here – in all it’s consequential splendor – heavy coats, gloves, scarves – and these with shoes that won’t be so apt to slip out from under us. Then there’s – at least where living at Del-Haven is concerned – cutting down trees for cutting up and splitting up and stacking up and then feeding into the wood stove. It’s all a part of the routine out here, but God is good to through it all and in it all to manifest His presence and His leading through even times like these. We just keep prayerfully pressing onward for His great glory and honor without ceasing.
Even though this time of the year, as far as the camp program activities – we are idle – we are nonetheless even more diligent in our praying and seeking guidance from our Lord for His faithful leadership. This is when we concentrate on supplicating Him for both the campers and the staff that we will be needing once again in June, July and August of this new year. Please be in continual prayer with us in this regard! Jesus said from Lk.11:9: “And I say unto you, ASK, and it shall be given you; SEEK, and ye shall find; KNOCK, and it shall be opened unto you.” This is the prayerful activity that we are constantly being led to do for this ministry in order for it to be effectual – by the Holy Spirit of our Lord Jesus. And, this activity definitely includes all of you!
Dear ones, the prayerful support of God’s family members has been – and while we are still in this world, it will always be – exactly what God has ordained to truly sustain His ministry here at Camp Del-Haven. Jesus said from Jn.15:16-17: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain – that whatsoever ye shall ASK of the Father in my Name – He may give it you! (17) These things I command you – that ye love one another.” Isn’t it wonderful to know that whatever Christ our Savior – who is our Lord and God – lovingly and personally commands of us – He has chosen to bring to pass in and through us! [see: Phil.1:6 and 2:13] So, if God has opened your hearts of love – by His grace – unto what you hear (or, read – or, see) concerning what has been and is being reported to you about – God’s ministry — through Camp Del-Haven – that has also prompted from you – your prayerful support of this, His work in this world – then do we give our praise and thanks to Him for all of you. And, we pray that He continues to bless you (as only He can do) even as He continues to sustain us – all for His glory and honor! Praise His Name! Make no mistake about it – there is eternal fruit being harvested in the lives and souls of both the children whom He sends through our camp program — and the lives and souls of those that He grooms for the ministerial service that transpires in order to fulfill His will.
This is how the apostle Paul viewed his personal support – delivered by God’s grace from the church at Phillipi. He was inspired by the Holy Spirit to bring out from the end of his epistle to them from Phil.4:16-20 these words: “For even in Thessalonica ye sent – once and again – unto my necessity. (17) Not because I desire a gift – but I desire fruit that may abound to your account! (18) But I have all, and abound! I am full – having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you – and odor of a sweet smell – a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing unto God. (19) But, my God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (20) Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” This, beloved, is how we feel about you all and the prayerful/support that you faithfully give unto us. We love you and thank God for you.
by John Carpenter | Feb 20, 2023 | Devotional
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying: Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love! Therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” [Jer.31:3]
“that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (19) and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God..” [Eph.3:17-19]
“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all – then were all dead: (15) and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again.” [2Co.5:14-15]
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you saith the Lord, thoughts of Peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” [Jer.29:11]
Three out of four of the above texts obviously have to do with God’s Love toward His sinner-saved-by-grace-children – while they are yet in this fallen-in-sin world. That being said – actually all four of these texts speak specifically of the Love of Christ our God!
The first text out of Jeremiah declares that all those who have been saved – are being, or have been — drawn by God’s lovingkindness into the reality of knowing and understanding that He has loved them from eternity – with His eternal love – and has ultimately provided an eternal atonement for all of their sins! How so very wonderful is that?!
Then, from here we jump over into the New Testament where the apostle Paul – inspired by the Holy Spirit – tells us that the “whole family of God” (Eph.3:15) by the power of the Holy Spirit will be made able to understand the great eternal love of our great eternal Savior! A love that has brought to pass and wrought for us every aspect of God’s eternal salvation from all of our sins.
And, why is this true? How does this happen to us? Even because Christ’s love for us literally blows our fallen minds! The Spirit of God causes us to receive and understand the glory of God’s great grace that He has exercised unto us – and in us – in His saving us from our sins. The knowledge of this surpasses anything and everything that has ever happened to us – and it’s all because of the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise His all glorious Name!
In fact, as the next text from 2Co.5 conveys unto us: “…the love of Christ constraineth us” [or, more lit.> “the love to us – from out of Christ – controls us”] so that we rightly do judge – that Christ as our Sovereign Savior Substitute has satisfied all of God’s perfect Justice upon our sins in His dying for us at Calvary! And, His having been raised from the dead for us – we have through Him — a perfect atonement for all of our sins! Because of this – we absolutely want to live only for Him and His glory throughout the rest of our lives in this fallen world!
The last text from Jer.29 further reveals something special concerning God’s love for us. It tells of the very specific loving longing that our God has for each of His saved sinner children. Whatever God thinks – comes to pass (see Is.14:24). And, He says that He knows the thoughts that He thinks toward us – “thoughts of Peace and not of evil” in order to give to us His “expected end”.
We will discuss deeper and further this text in next month’s prayer/newsletter.
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jan 7, 2023 | Camp News, Ministry News
Winter is upon us! Bitter cold wind chills necessitates the layering about us much warm clothing! Nevertheless, the snow makes the campground truly beautiful. This time of year also reveals the trees that we see we need to cut down and then cut and split up for the wood stove. The usual routine tasks of our ongoing maintenance program here at Camp Del-Haven. It’s something that we have gotten used to over the last 7 decades.
We want to be sure to thank the Lord for all of your prayers and support that has been faithfully sustaining us through this present stringent inflationary economy. We pray for all of you in these times as well – that God will continually bless and keep you.
The New Year also holds for us another prayer filled hope of witnessing our Lord’s unceasing and loving work of the ministry — that only He can do — in the lives of campers and staff alike. Please continue to be faithful to pray with us – especially – in regards to this reality. It has become more obvious than ever that the Enemy has been targeting our children to lead astray – ensare – and ultimately devour! After all they are the most vulnerable of all. Please pray for them that they be rescued from being swallowed up with the sham of this world – and with their own lusts of the flesh! Your prayers in this regard are absolutely vital in our sovereign God’s accomplishment of saving them from the enemies of their souls. We need as well to be in prayer for each other in this way!
We must also remember to pray for our great country. Our sovereign – and in complete control – Lord is exposing more and more the deep seated corruption that has been brewing and active all around us! This new year needs to be stimulated with an even stronger resolve to constantly seek from our Savior a closer relationship with Him! After all – this, indeed, is how we grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ! This is what we should strive to do each new day of this New Year. This is exactly what 2Pe.3:18 exhorts us to do! Remember, Peter writes this right after vs.17 from where he is led of the Holy Spirit for us to be warned – by saying: “…beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the Wicked – fall from your own steadfastness.” May God be pleased to deliver us all from this!
2022 Contribution Notices will be mailed out before January 31st. Please contact us if you if you have any questions.
by John Carpenter | Jan 7, 2023 | Devotional
(30) “And the angel said unto her, fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son – and thou shalt call His Name, Jesus. (32) He shall be Great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest – and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of his father, David: (33) And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever – and of His Kingdom there shall be no end. (34) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (35)And the angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee – therefore also that Holy One which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” [Lk.1:30-35]
In the light of the dawning of a New Year – we shall consider the last four of Ten pure gospel descriptions that are unfolded in the angel, Gabriel’s announcement unto young Mary — who was chosen to be the mother of the Son of Man, Christ Jesus. Having last month looked at the first six of the ten descriptions – we are ready to consider the last four. Hence, the Seventh pure gospel description of Christ is found in vs.33, which says: “And He shall reign over the House of Jacob forever – and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.” Now Jacob represents all the individual persons whom God has loved from eternity! Jacob, also, has been — from the Word of God — depicted as being the sinner/child of the household of Isaac – the miracle son of Abraham and Sarah! Jacob proved to be the sneaky – lying – sinner that surreptitiously got what he wanted by trickery — in regards to Esau’s birthright and his father Isaac’s best blessing. And, God declared to Rebecca — before the twin boys were even born – that He loved Jacob and He hated Esau [see: Ro9:13]! Gabriel tells Mary that her Son will be the promised Seed through whom the Serpent, Satan, will be destroyed. And — He will also be the Sovereign Savior Substitute for all His people; His family; His Church; and His elect-to-eternal life. He will reign over the “Household of Jacob” forever — and His Kingdom shall have no end! These are obviously all of God’s chosen sinner/-children who will be eternally saved by God’s grace through the meritorious and vicarious person and work of His only-begotten, beloved Son! Praise His Name!
When Mary hears this news – she is beside herself in amazement and asks a most obvious question: “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” To which Gabriel answers by delivering the Eighth pure gospel description of Christ! And this one comes from the first part of vs.35. He said to her, “the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee…”. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit was in charge of the performance and the success of absolutely everything that had to do with the incarnation of the eternal Son of God – and, as well, the creation of our world – and — the eternal Salvation of our souls! Therefore, the Holy Spirit’s presence and power is also absolutely necessary for the performance and success of all of us making it through this fallen world following Christ Jesus every step of the way – on into His (and consequently our) heavenly glory!
This brings us to the Ninth pure gospel description in this wonderful portion of scripture. The next thing that Gabriel is sent to tell Mary is: “…and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee…”. This obviously refers to God the Father! So, we have the presence and power of the whole Trinity at work in the performance of this most wonderful miracle of God’s grace in order to effectually save all the souls of His entire eternal family! The incarnation of the eternal Son of God was the supreme preternatural act of omnipotent divine intervention of God’s love and grace. It is completely unprecedented as far as God’s miracles are concerned! Glory to His Name!
The Tenth pure gospel description is that Mary’s son – will also be called the Son of God. Amen.
-For Christ’s Glory Only! John Carpenter
