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
by John Carpenter | Oct 22, 2020 | Camp News
Dear ones, once again, we want to express, from our hearts, a hardy “Praise the Lord” – for your faithful prayerful support of Del-Haven throughout this whole circumstantial hardship that has disrupted our normal camp operation. Our Lord God is truly in sovereign control of all things! His leading and His great love is seen in all of you sticking with us – and believe me when I say that we love you for it! We thank our Lord for you all – and we pray that He will continue to enrich each of your lives with His presence – His blessings – and His power.
Please continue to lift up in prayer the young men and women who have – by God’s grace – been our regular (much needed) staff members. Pray that we don’t lose them due to our having been shut down from being able to hold our regular camp sessions this year. Or, if we have lost some – please pray that the Lord will fill their vacancies! We always want exactly what He wants in this regard. This is so important! And then, of course, please lift up all our campers in your prayers. These boys and girls need us to earnestly pray for them – that God our Savior will watch over them and keep them safe from the Evil One! We need to continue to pray this for each other as well. Our God has both ordered and ordained for us to always love and pray for one another.
Dear Camp Del-Haven, Even though I haven’t been to an actual camp week, I went to the family day. My favorite part of the family day at camp was swimming and crafts. I am so excited to have a normal camp week next year, since it will be my first camp week ever. My sister and my aunts have been telling me about how much fun camp is. So, I can’t wait to go to chapel and fishing. – Ashlyn
Dear Camp Del-Haven, I miss you so much. My grandma said sometime come up for supper. We will all like that. I can swim because we took swimming lessons. I don’t know if the twins will send a letter. Hopefully we will see each other. We all miss you so so so so much! Tell the counselors Hi.— Miley, Becky, and Bella
by John Carpenter | Oct 22, 2020 | Devotional
“Yea, and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus – shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers – shall wax worse and worse – deceiving and being deceived. (14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned – and hast been assured of – knowing of whom thou hast learned them. (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation – through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (17) that the man of God – may be perfect – thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” [2Tim.3:14-17]
“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]
The Word of God has a definite, all-important place in a true believer’s life and walk through this fallen-in-sin world. In fact, the presence of the gospel truth of God’s Word is really what sets a true sinner/child of God apart from this world’s evil environment. And, it is an environment that is so evil – that it is fraught with “so-called ministers” – who literally, as the Word of God from 2Pe.2:3 says, “…through covetousness shall they with feigned [i.e. molded, artificial and false] words – make merchandise of you…”. Which means that they will not only mislead you spiritually but they will do it for the sake of getting your money – your admiration – your time. Nevertheless if we, through the Holy Spirit, prayerfully follow both the admonitions and the exhortations of God’s Word – He will lead us safely through this deceitful and spiritually dangerous world.
Christ is our perfect protective sanctuary – He is our refuge – He is our Light – as we walk through this age of the Valley of the shadow of death. Remember what Jesus says from Jn.8:31-32: “If ye continue in my Word – then are ye my disciples indeed (32) And ye shall know the Truth – and the Truth shall make you free!” And, dear ones, the Lord Jesus is the Truth! That is why from vs.36 our Lord goes on to declare: “If the Son therefore shall make you free – ye shall be free indeed!” May our Lord God ever bless us in fulfilling His own Word’s description of being His true disciples by causing us to continue in our learning – from Him – about Him – in His immut-able and infallible Word! Amen? Amen.
Ps.40:7 has the Holy Spirit of Christ saying: “I, Lo, I come – in the volume of the Book it is written of me!” And, 2Ti.3:16-17 dogmatically declares that: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” This means that “All scripture” – is all about Christ! It goes on to say of the instrumentality of the written Word of God in the lives of all of God’s sinner/children, that it is all – “profitable – for doctrine – for reproof – for correction” – and then it says: “for instruction in righteousness”. There is much that will be said about this verse — and this list of functions that are given — but we want to be sure to tie vs.16 all together contextually with vs.17 – which says: “That the man of God may be – perfect – thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” This is, indeed, a beautiful thing.
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Aug 18, 2020 | Camp News
Dear ones, let us keep one another in our fervent prayers as this “virus thing” continues to un-fold. It, too, is of this fallen and cursed world – so it, too — is also only temporary! This world is the last semblance of the wicked empire of Satan. It is here and now that he is allowed to exercise and execute his murderous and lying authority. But, our Sovereign Lord and Savior is supreme in authority! He reigns over all! He is in complete control even over the devil! He is in complete loving control over us! Praise His Name! Let us pray that we – by His great grace – will continue to put all our trust in Him! The Word of God says from Jer.17:5: “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man – and maketh flesh his arm – and whose heart departeth from the Lord.” Whereas Vs.7 of this same context boldly declares: “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord – and whose hope – the Lord is!”
We have had some really good response to our invitations to families that have come out to experience the activities that are included in a day of camp. It has been wonderful to be able to declare the gospel unto parent and child alike. We had a wonderful time discoursing with one of the fathers! He has had a rough past life, but now he also demonstrates a marvelous testimony for Christ! Please be in prayer for this man. His name is Jason.
Please continue to pray for our staff of young helpers — and, of course, for all of the children.
We had only one family that had to back out of coming due to illness – please lift them up to the Lord with us.
We love you for continuing to prayerfully support us through this time. Let us persevere in loving God and trusting in Him who works all things out for our good – according to His eternal purpose and grace.
This month we wanted to share with you some of the letters we have received from campers in response to our summer newsletters. We definitely have missed them and treasure the little notes they have written to us.
Dear Camp Del-Haven, My favorite thing to do out at camp was swimming and eating the good breakfast. Also, I liked to clean the cabin. – Darionna
Dear Camp Del-Haven, I was looking forward to attending camp for the first time this year, but since Covid-19 I can’t. I hope next summer I can. – Darielle
Dear Camp Del-Haven, I miss you Camp Del-Haven. I really want to come back, but I can’t because of the virus. – Norah
Dear Camp Del-Haven, What I like about camp is swimming, fishing, singing, breakfast, dinner, and most of all, you guys, and everything. Love you guys. I really, really do miss you. – Lillian
As summer ends, these children will be heading back to school. Whether they will be returning to school in person or virtually, there will be challenges for them and their families. Please be in prayer with us for the dear children to whom we minister. Our camper newsletters have focused on the presence and power of God. May they be more and more aware of a Heavenly Father who loves and cares for them in every situation.
by John Carpenter | Aug 18, 2020 | Devotional
(5) For they that are after the flesh – do mind the things of the flesh – but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.(6) For to be carnally minded (or, fleshly minded) is death – but to be Spiritually minded is life and peace.(7) Because the carnal mind (or, the fleshly mind) is enmity against God – for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God! (9) But ye are not in the flesh – but in the Spirit – if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you! Now, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ – he is none of His!” [Ro.8:5-9]
(16) “This I say then – walk in the Spirit — and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit – and the Spirit against the flesh – and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would! (18) But if ye be led of the Spirit – ye are not under the law.” [Gal.5:16-18]
(19) “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (20) idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (21) envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like – of the which I tell you before, as I also told you in time past – that they which do such things – shall not inherit the Kingdom of God!” [Gal.5:19-21]
Dear ones, the Word of God is a mirror from which we can see the spiritual reality of our own lives. Are we walking “after the flesh”, or “after the Spirit”? Whichever is the reality between the two – the “flesh” or the “Spirit” – will be the foundation of all our thinking and living while we are in this fleshly, fallen-in-sin world. Only by being “spiritually minded” – will we successfully walk right through this worldly waste land and ultimately right into the eternal Kingdom of God! To be “spiritually minded” is to “have the mind of Christ”! [see: 1Co.2:15-16] This should be the earnest prayerful plea of our daily lives right now – that we be granted the grace of God to persevere and continue being led through this world by the Holy Spirit of Christ, our Lord and God.
If we are walking through this world “after the flesh” – then while we are walking physically – we are, nevertheless, spiritually — dead! At the same time, if we are walking through this world “after the Spirit” we are experiencing through God’s grace spiritual “life and peace”. Is.26:3 declares dogmatically: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace – whose mind is stayed upon thee”. Remember, the fleshly mind “is enmity against God”! There is no peace in being God’s enemy!
Quite simply, the “flesh” pertains to anything and everything that is a part of this sinful and cursed world. This is why 1Jn.2:15-17 says: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world – the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father – but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof – but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” This world is not our home. This world is a battleground that is entirely behind enemy lines! All of us were born into this fallen-in-sin world as fit sinner constituents to populate it – because we are all sinners! This world is the very stage upon which is being lived out all of the works of the flesh of this age of sin and death.
May the Holy Spirit of our God bear witness with our spirit that we are truly His children and heirs of His Kingdom [see: Ro.8:16-17]. Then also, we shall know that we are being led by Him.
For Christ’s Glory Only! -John Carpenter
