by John Carpenter | Jan 18, 2021 | Devotional
“And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3.“Blessed — the poor in spirit – for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
4.Blessed — they that mourn – for they shall be comforted.
5.Blessed — the meek – for they shall inherit the earth.
6.Blessed — they that hunger and thirst after righteousness – for they shall be filled.
7.Blessed — the merciful – for they shall obtain mercy.
8.Blessed — the pure in heart – for they shall see God
9. Blessed — the peacemakers – for they shall be called the children of God.” [Mt.5:2-9]
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee – that he may dwell in thy courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house – even of thy Holy Temple.” [Ps.65:4]
Predominantly, when a New Year comes to pass, this is when people often make personal resolutions to improve themselves. They resolve to better the image of themselves by endeavoring to do something – or to stop doing something. In this way, they hope that they will exude a better personal and individual image of themselves. But, when our Savior opened His mouth and taught these verses from Mt.5 — He descriptively declared what the pure truth of the gospel of God’s grace bestows upon His true disciples. He taught them concerning how they – as sinners – still in this sinful world — can recognize – in themselves (and, for that matter, in each other) truly being one of God’s blessed children — while they are still passing through — this fallen world!
First of all, according to God’s Word, to be a blessed by God sinner – in this world — is to truly be one of His chosen sinner/ children — whom He has chosen and placed in Christ before the foundation of this world [see Eph.1:3-5].“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings – in heavenly places – in Christ – (4) according as He hath chosen us in Him – before the foundation of the world – that we should be holy and without blame before Him – in love (5) having predestinated us — unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself – according to the good pleasure of His will…”
Oh the unfathomable wonders of God’s eternally saving will and grace! That He has been pleased to purpose — and even to predestinate — poor, undeserving, unlovely – even enemy/sinners – to be blessed by almighty God and chosen in Christ – and even to being adopted by Jesus Christ into becoming a part of God’s holy heavenly family! Praise His Wonderful Name!
How can this be true! How can it be possible that any “poor” sinner who does not possess one iota of ability to do even one thing to merit or earn a place and standing in God’s holy family! How can they even believe that: “theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”?! But, this is exactly what the incarnated eternal and holy Son of God – who cannot lie – right up front announced!
Everyone of these descriptive “Blessings” become descriptions of everyone that the Father has given His Savior/Son – to save. Jesus said, “All that the Father giveth to me – shall come to me – and him that cometh to me – I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will – but the will of Him that sent me. (39) And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me – that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing – but should raise it up again at the last day!”[Jn.6:37-39] We will look further into this grand context in the future. Praise the Lord!
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Dec 20, 2020 | Camp News
Regardless what this sinful world mistakenly makes of the meaning of this time of the year, it still remains a favorite of ours! Especially the Christmas carol/hymns that are most often heard and sung – many of which are very glorifying to the Lord. And, by the way, the above passages of holy scripture we will be reflecting upon through the New Year – as well as reminding you of them at this time. They speak well enough for themselves – so that you can get the clear and plain message just by reading them. And, in the context of them – as stated in their particular order – we want to say to all of you (our loved ones) –
!! MERRY CHRISTMAS !!
Once again, dear ones, please do not forget to lift up in your prayers our staff helpers and campers (even the ones that know about Del-Haven – but have not yet even been to camp). This time of year is not so joyous for many that see all around them – so many others – having a great time that they cannot. It is easy for them to become despondent and on the brink of despair. Pray that the Holy Spirit of the God of all comfort will – in His sovereignty – encourage and strengthen them – as only He can do. Lord willing this very restricted 2020 – will rebound into a very prosperous and abundant 2021! Let’s pray that the Lord will do just that – for the furtherance of His Kingdom and His Glory. Amen? Amen.
We still have many repair and renovation projects that need much attention. Please pray with us that these things will get accomplished according to God’s good pleasure, provision and will. We thank all of you who have been faithful to continue to prayerfully support us through this whole fiasco! Remember to pray for our country. We thank the Lord for you – and we pray for God’s blessing upon each of you – and we love you for being there, and being used by His leading on our behalf.
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. (23) And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. (24) And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us –by the Spirit – which He hath given us.” [1Jn.3:22-24]
by John Carpenter | Dec 20, 2020 | Devotional
“Unto us a Child is born – unto us a Son is given – and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His Name shall be called: Wonderful – Counsellor – the Mighty God – Everlasting Father – the Prince of Peace! (7) Of the increase of His government and peace — there shall be no end upon the Throne of David and upon His Kingdom – to order it – and to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (8) The Lord sent a word into Jacob – and it lighted upon Israel.” [Is.9:6-8]
“But thou, Bethlehem – Ephratah! Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah – yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me – to be the Ruler in Israel – whose goings forth – have been of old, from everlasting. (3) Therefore will He give them up until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth. Then the remnant of His brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. (4) And He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord – in the majesty of the Name of the Lord His God – and they shall abide. For He shall be great unto the ends of the earth!” [Mic.5:2-4]
“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us – and we beheld His glory – the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father – full of grace and truth!” [Jn.1:14]
“But when the fullness of the time was come – God sent forth His Son – made of a woman – made under the Law (5) — to redeem them that were under the Law – that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6) And because ye are sons – God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts – crying: Abba, Father! (7) Wherefore, thou art no more a servant, but a son! And, if a son – then an heir of God through Christ!” [Gal.4:4-7]
“And no man hath ascended up to heaven – but He that came down from heaven – even the Son of Man which is in heaven!” [Jn.3:13]
“Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again and called Jesus and said unto Him: ‘Art thou the King of the Jews?’ (34) Jesus answered him, ‘Sayest thou this thing of thyself – or did others tell it thee of me?’ (35) Pilate answered: “Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me. What hast thou done!?’ (36) Jesus answered: ‘My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world – then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews – but now is my Kingdom not from hence.’ (37) Pilate therefore said unto Him: ‘Art thou a king then?’ Jesus answered: ‘Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born – and for this cause came I into the world – that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Everyone that is of the Truth – heareth my voice!’ (38)Pilate saith unto Him: ‘What is truth?’ And when he had said this – he went out again unto the Jews and saith unto them: ‘I find in Him no fault at all!’ [Jn.18:33-38]
“And all that dwell upon the earth – shall worship him (i.e. the anti-christ) – whose names are not written in: The Book of Life – of the Lamb Slain – From the Foundation of the World!” [Rev.13:8]
“For so hath the Lord commanded us – saying – I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles (the nations) that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth! (48) And when the Gentiles heard this – they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained unto eternal life believed! (49) And the Word of the Lord was published throughout the region.” [Ac.13:47-49]
Praise the coming of our Wonderful Savior, Christ Jesus our Lord!
by John Carpenter | Nov 23, 2020 | Camp News
God’s Word tells us: “In everything give thanks – for this is the will of God concerning you!” So, therefore, once again, for another year – 2020 – all of us here at Camp Del-Haven wish all of you, our loved ones, a great big – !!Happy Thanksgiving!!
We do give God much thanks for all of you – and we pray for His continual blessings upon each of you – whom He has chosen to prayerfully support us — as we endeavor to present the gospel of the glory – only – of our Lord Jesus Christ – unto 6 to 12 year old children. We thank Him for the Del-Haven camp platform that He has raised up and sustained and maintained now for 68 years! Praise His Great Name! May He continue to lead you all in praying for us like you have been so faithful to do. Prayer is how Del-Haven started – and prayer is how Del-Haven is still here! Thank you for your faithful Prayers!
Del-Haven’s very existence – being dependent so much on our prayers – is exactly why we need to be constantly lifting up all our loved and blessed children before our Lord and Savior! So, please continue to be faithful to remember in your prayers — all of them – and – as well, our whole staff (many of which the Lord has caused to have come right from our list of campers).
This evil and passing away world is no playground – it is definitely a hot and dangerous battleground! This is why we need to always be praying for our young people. They need the omnipresent protection of the ever overruling Lord Jesus Christ! It is He who is our Shield and Protector – and our Exceeding Great Reward! All praise, glory and thanksgiving belongs unto Him. He promises to be – personally and individually– right there with each one of His children. All our prayers for one another and for our boys and girls go toward the sure accomplishment of His holy and heaven-bound will for our lives. This is why Satan is so offended at our praying to the Lord against him. Holy Spirit led prayer is the best offense that we have in the full accomplishment of our Victory. A victory that both we and our children will have — only in Jesus.
We love you all and hope and pray that you have a most blessed time around the meal table with your loved ones this: “All — Thanksgiving Be Unto God Day!”
by John Carpenter | Nov 23, 2020 | Devotional, Miscellaneous
(14) But continue thou – in the things which thou hast learned (15) …the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation – through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (17) that the man of God – may be perfect – thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” [2Tim.3:14,15 & 17]
“That ye would walk worthy of God – who hath called you unto His Kingdom and Glory. (13) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us – ye received it not as the word of men – but as it is in truth, the Word of God – which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” [1Thes.2:12-13]
“Now the God of peace – that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus – that Great Shepherd of the sheep – through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant (21) make you perfect in every good work – to do His will – working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight – through Jesus Christ – to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen!” [Heb.13:20-21]
If the divine purpose of a sinner/child of God – still alive in this worldly flesh – and still traversing through this fallen-in-sin world – is to have a vital and ongoing – or, shall we say, on–growing – relationship with the Word of God so that he “may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” – one might ask: How is this even possible?! Everyone knows that no sinner (and “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”) while in this world is “perfect”. So, how exactly do we possibly fulfill – or, how in the world can we fulfill – this descriptively declared statement that comprises all of 2Tim.3:17?
There’s only one way, dear one – and that’s — “through faith (the faith) which is in Christ Jesus”!
And, that’s precisely what the last two scripture references from 1Thess. and Heb. point out to us. And, it may be summed up in this way: Only by, “Believing”, in the Lord Jesus Christ! Let’s take a brief look at these two references one at a time.
- 1Thess.2:12-13> Right up front vs.12 begins with the commanding exhortation that we – as being true and genuine children of God – who have – by God’s sovereign grace — received God’s Holy Scriptures by the sovereignty and the personal teaching of the Holy Spirit — “would walk worthy of God – who hath called you unto His Kingdom and Glory. This “worthy walk” is a walk only by faith in the person and being – of the perfect walk of the Lord Jesus Christ! And for us who are His “Believing” in Him – is “Believing” – in the overall reality that He truly is our sovereign Savior/Substitute! His eternally accomplished and totally successful “worthy walk” – was done on behalf of us for whom He was sent into this world to save! Therefore – in, by and through Him – we are viewed by all of Holy Heaven as He, Himself, is viewed! Hence, through His work – we have been perfected – and “thoroughly furnished unto all good works” just as described in 2Tim.3:17.
- He.13:20-21> These two verses list for us nine descriptive declarations concerning God’s all-glorious work in His saving, keeping — instructing and preserving — all of His saved and quickened ones as they live and sojourn through this fallen world. This text makes it clear and plain that if – your soul’s eternal salvation – is not dependent all on Christ – then it’s all wrong! And, right in the middle of the 9 statements is: “make you perfect in every good work”. It’s all by His doing – and it’s all being done according to His will – “through Jesus Christ”! All Praise and Glory unto the Name of the Savior!
For Christ’s Glory Only! -John Carpenter
