by John Carpenter | Dec 20, 2021 | Devotional
“We are of God – he that knoweth God – heareth us; he that is not of God – heareth not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (7) Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God; and everyone that loveth – is born of God – and knoweth God! (8) He that loveth not, knoweth not God – for God is love! (9) In this was manifested the love of God – toward us – because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world – that we might live through Him. (10) Herein is love! Not that we loved God – but that He loved us – and sent His Son – a propitiation for our sins.” [1Jn.4:6-10]
At this time of year, from the last phrase of this passage of holy scripture, we see a descriptive announcement of God’s perfect purpose in His sending His only begotten Son into this lost, sinful and law-cursed world. This wonderful announcement plainly tells us that God loved us “and sent His Son – a propitiation for our sins”! In other words, God’s Son – was sent into this world to be the complete and total satisfaction of whatever divine requirements there are that need to be met for the perfect approval and acceptance of every chosen member of God’s eternal and heavenly household. This includes even the perfect Justice that God demands to be carried out where our sins are concerned. And, in Christ – and by Christ – this as been accomplished! This is the pure truth of the gospel of the holy glory, only, of our Lord Jesus Christ!
The question is – just exactly for whom has this great salvation been wrought – or totally worked out? And, from vs.6-9 John is inspired by the Holy Spirit to address this precise matter. These men and women – boys and girls – receive the announcement and presentation of the gospel of God’s grace and believe it! They “hear” by the presence and power of the Grace of the Holy Spirit – and they know that what they hear is the gospel truth of God. Furthermore – they “Love” what they hear because the love of Christ controls them and causes them to love the truth of the gospel of the glory, only, of Jesus Christ, this is what manifests that they are indeed the true children of God!
Before this – 1Jn.3:5 – states: “And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins – and in Him is no sin.” This text unfolds even more wonderful news! Not only has the incarnated eternal Son of God satisfied the total penalty and punishment that our sins deserve – but God has also used His Son to be all our perfect righteousness that makes us to be approved and accepted in God’s Holy Presence! “In Him is no sin”! In Christ is where God has created us (see: Eph.2:10)! “He has chosen us in Him – before the foundation of the world – that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (see: Eph.1:4)! The “Good News” just keeps getting better and better! God, Himself, fulfills that which He commands of us from Rom.13:14 which says: “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ – and make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
This then leads us into “seeing” the Saving Purpose of God’s sending His only-begotten Son into this sin filled world as stated in 1Jn.3:8> “…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil.” And, vs.10 says: “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.”
And, just who are these children of the devil? They are even as 1Jn.4:5 describes> “They are of the world – therefore speak they of the world and the world heareth them.” Pr.20:12 declares: “The hearing ear and the seeing eye – the Lord hath made even both of them!” Praise His Name! Jesus Christ really did come into this world this world – “to save sinners”! All glory to Him! Let’s all celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, into the world of fallen humanity (see Rom. 8:3-4).
For Christ’s Glory Only! -John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Nov 8, 2021 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, we are once again approaching another Holiday Season – and once again we ask that you all please remember to pray for the children that have been through the Del-Haven Ministry during this time of year. For many of the boys and girls are from broken homes – this time of year serves only to remind them of what they don’t have…a loving, stable and safe relationship with their families. This is precisely what the pure truth of the gospel of the glory, only, of the Lord Jesus Christ announces unto them! A Relationship – an eternal Relationship – with the Heavenly Father – and the Holy Spirit of God – through an ever present Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ – their Kinsman Redeemer! Del-Haven is not a Camp Ministry that seeks to just be a platform to promote Religion. No! We long to be used of the Lord to introduce children (and their families) to a lifelong reliable Relationship and walk with the Lord of lords and King of kings – Jesus, the Christ of Almighty God.
Please keep praying for us – that we will be able in 2022 to have regular weekly camps like before without all the divisive restrictions. This is what we are designed to do. This is the Lord’s ministry – He has been – and still is – totally in charge. Never doubt that fact!
And, when you pray for the kids, please do not forget to pray also for those that the Lord will send to us to fill positions on our Staff! They need to be sent by the Savior to do what needs to be done throughout all our camper days. God is absolutely sovereign and in control – and He uses the prayers of His children to accomplish His Will and Good Pleasure! [See Phil.2:13]
We will continue to try to keep you informed of our needs as they unfold before us – just so you can pray with understanding for us. For the time being we feel we have done what’s necessary to maintain a safe environment for our buildings by trimming tree limbs and even removing some trees that were a real threat should they be blown over during a storm. The unexpected expenses to do that came to $4250. Please pray that this expense can be met. For just about 70 years, now, the only fund raising method that has ever really worked – is – We pray and God provides! Praise His Name! We are ever so thankful for all of you!
“Therefore if any man be in Christ – he is a New creature!
Old things are passed away; Behold – all things are become New!
And, all things are of God,
who hath Reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ,
and hath given unto us the ministry of Reconciliation.”
[2Cor.5:17-18]
by John Carpenter | Nov 8, 2021 | Devotional
(13) “But Now – in Christ Jesus – ye who sometimes [or, once were] far off – (lit.) have been made nigh – by [or, in] the blood Christ.(14) For He is our Peace – who hath made both one – and (lit.) having broken down the middle wall of partition {between us}; (15) having abolished in His flesh the enmity, {even} the law of commandments {contained} in ordinances; for to make [or, to create] in Himself {of} twain (lit.) into One New Man – {so} making Peace! (16) And {that} He might Reconcile both unto God in One body – (lit.) through the cross – having slain the enmity thereby: [or, found therein] (17) And (lit) having come – He preached Peace to you which {were} afar off – and to them that {were} nigh. (18) For through Him – we both have access (lit.) in one Spirit unto the Father. (19) Now therefore – ye are no more strangers and (lit.) sojourners – but fellow-citizens with the saints – and of the household of God!” [Eph.2:13-19]
The main subject of this particular context of descriptive scripture is the blessed and wonderful pure truth of the gospel of the glory of God’s grace concerning the Reconciliation between Holy God and all His chosen sinner/children (whom He authoritatively includes in the phrase “with the saints”). For them — this has been accomplished — and is presently being maintained – through the person and work of – the Prince of Peace, Himself — the Lord Jesus Christ. For the Word of God explicitly declares from 1Jn.4:17: “Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as He is – so are we – in this world!” This is the pristeen, sin-cleaned standing that we now – by the grace of the faith of Jesus Christ – can right now realize that we have! This is Reconciliation with God – through the eternal accomplishment of our Redemption by Christ Jesus. Through Him – we have been exalted from the dunghill of this sinful world – into the glory of His wonderful grace. Praise the Savior!
You see, in order for there to be no violation of God’s Holiness – there are certain Godly legal requirements that must be met as far as His sinner/children are concerned before we could be truly Reconciled – with God. If these requirements of God’s law are not met – then our standing before the Lord God – our verdict before His Holy Court – would eternally be guilty! And, our souls would necessarily be lost in our eternal condemnation.
This is precisely why we need a Sovereign Savior Substitute! This is why the eternal Son of God was sent by the Divine three in One – to be incarnated — into the “likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. So that – (lit.) “The righteous requirements of the Law might be fulfilled in us – who walk not after the flesh – but after the Spirit.” [Rom.8:3-4] This is why Rom.8:1 announces the pure gospel truth: “There is therefore – Now – no condemnation to them which are – in Christ Jesus – who walk not after the flesh – but after the Spirit.” It is because – as Eph.1:4 tells us: “According as He hath chosen us – in Him (i.e. in Christ Jesus) – before the foundation of the world…that we should be Holy – and without blame – before Him in love.”
This means that yet another grand blessing of God’s grace must come to us through the person and work of Christ, our Substitute – and that is our Justification! We cannot be accepted and approved in our Eternal Reconciliation with God – before we are Eternally Justified. 2Co.5:21 must be completely fulfilled as a righteous requirement as well. God made Jesus to be our Substitute! He made Him to become our sin and take our eternal punishment for it. This is the only way for us to be clothed in His eternal perfect righteousness – and be able thereby to be eternally Reconciled with God – (and with all of His Holy Household)! Praise His Eternal Savior Son of God!
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Oct 25, 2021 | Camp News
As we come unto the final months of another year in the ministry of Camp Del-Haven – we find ourselves praying earnestly that the Lord will grant that we be able to – once again — have regular camp sessions in 2022. Make no mistake about it, our God is in sovereign control over all our circumstances – whether we judge them to be good, or to be bad. All our “times” – have been, and are, in His hand for to do all His will and good pleasure. From Ps.31:15 David is inspired by the Holy Spirit to say: “My times are in thy hand – deliver me from the hand of mine enemies – and from them that persecute me.” Therefore, it is totally appropriate for us to prayerfully seek from God, our Savior, His deliverance from our adverse circumstances. Prayer is the activity of His yielded and still children as they exercise their patient waiting for Him to hear and to answer their desperate supplications! From Ps.50:15 God tells us: “Call upon me in the day of trouble – I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me!
This is also why each and every month we need you — more than anything else – to continue to pray for all the campers that our sovereign Lord and Leader has sent to us to faithfully declare and deliver to them the pure truth of God’s everlasting gospel of His great grace. Like all of us – they need His daily protection, preservation and strength in order to make it safely through this fallen and sinful world. And, of course, please do not forget to pray for all of the young people that are our staff helpers. Don’t forget – all of us are in essence volunteers. This means that none of us are paid salaries. This means we are constantly facing turn overs where our staff is concerned. This is only normal. It is the Lord who also continues to supply this all important need (Phil.4:19)! Please do not forget to pray with us — in regards to this ongoing matter.
We give earnest thanks to our ever faithful God for your continual financial support whereby we are able to maintain the monthly expenses of the camp property and utilities. We recently had to hire some tree service professionals to deal with some additional real threats of having more damage occur on some more of our buildings. This situation we spotted after our attention was aroused due to what happened to the roof of our Cabin Two! We had to have 12 more trees cut down and four trees expertly trimmed in order to remove the real threat of damage to our Dining Hall, Restroom Facility, Shelter House and Jeff and Leslie’s Home. This put us back by $4250! This did not include the removal of the tree trunks and all the piles of brush. So, we are faced with the awesome job of cleaning up the mess. So, please pray that we safely see this task through to its completion. Thank you all! We love and pray for you.
—-
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God
by the death of His Son – much more –
being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life!” [Ro.5:11]
by John Carpenter | Oct 25, 2021 | Devotional
(13) “But Now – in Christ Jesus – ye who sometimes [or, once were] far off – (lit.) have been made nigh – by [or, in] the blood Christ.(14) For He is our Peace – who hath made both one – and (lit.) having broken down the middle wall of partition {between us}; (15) having abolished in His flesh the enmity, {even} the law of commandments {contained} in ordinances; for to make [or, to create] in Himself {of} twain (lit.) into One New Man – {so} making Peace! (16) And {that} He might Reconcile both unto God in One body – (lit.) through the cross – having slain the enmity thereby: [or, found therein] (17) And (lit) having come – He preached Peace to you which {were} afar off – and to them that {were} nigh. (18) For through Him – we both have access (lit.) in one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore – ye are no more strangers and (lit.) sojourners – but fellow-citizens with the saints – and of the household of God! (19) Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God”! [Eph.2:13-19]
The doctrine of Reconciliation between a chosen sinner/child and their Holy Father God is foundational to the establishment of an eternal relationship of Perfect Peace with God! From within the context of this particular section of scripture — this truth is clearly explained and declared.
From this section of holy scripture we see that it begins and ends with two significant descriptive declarations that compliment one another in more than one beautiful way. First of all, they both describe something that is spiritually significant in that they are describing a spiritual reality in every true believer that is current, even though they are still a part of this fallen and sinful world! And, this section of the Word of God plainly declares how – the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ has – by Himself – fully accomplished this everlasting gospel reality of there being peace – between us and God through our everlasting Reconciliation with Him! Here we are – nothing but completely hopeless sinners – but, through the eternally accomplished and perfect atonement by the Lord Jesus Christ – we have been brought intimately near to holy God! We have been made pristine clean in the precious blood of Christ Jesus.
Why is that the certain reality between the most Holy Lord God and us? Even because the Lord Jesus – the incarnated eternal Son of God – is exactly as vs.14 says: “For He is our Peace”! Our Perfect Peace with the Triune God – eternal and forever! How did He accomplish our Peace with holy, holy, holy God? The answer is – He did it all as our Sovereign Savior Substitute! He has made both – God and us (His chosen sinner/children) – both of us — One in Him! This is what God secured from eternity when He placed us — in His beloved – and only-begotten — Son – “before the foundation of the world”. And, in conjunction with this eternal act of His everlasting love and grace – He has “broken down the middle wall of partition between us” which has separated us from being able to be completely compatible with one another. You see – if we were not made righteous and holy just like God – then there is no way that we can be accepted and approved in His Holy and Righteous presence. But, what Christ is descriptively declared to have done – here in Eph.3:13-19 – has remedied this whole matter!
This fulfilled what is wonderfully being described in He.10:19-20 which says:“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into [lit.] the Holy of Holies – in the blood of Jesus, (20) by a new and living way which He consecrated for us [or, which He made holy for us] through the veil – that is His flesh.”
This we will endeavor to explain next time.\
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
