by John Carpenter | Jan 20, 2020 | Devotional
“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, (79) to give Light to them that sit in darkness – and – in the shadow of death – to guide our feet into the Way of Peace.” “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” “But the path of the Just is as the shining Light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”[Lk.1; Ps.119:105; Pr.4:18]
The last phrase of the Holy Spirit inspired utterance that old Priest Zacharias (the father of John the Baptist) descriptively declares unto us – is also a reason why the Lord God sent His Son into this world. Christ was sent into our fallen human history to not only be our Savior – but also our guide through and out of this world into God’s heavenly eternal presence and Kingdom! There are two important things we should always be aware of each day we are in this earthly life: 1) Where we are in this Cosmos Diabolos (the world of the Devil) and, 2)Where we are being led!
It would be difficult to find a more relevant subject to seriously meditate on at the beginning of a brand new year. Every single one of us are being led throughout our temporary journey in this evil world – right into our eternal destiny. Who we are – whether a genuine true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, or a false believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, or an outright and total unbeliever – will reveal where in eternity we will ultimately end up as our eternal destiny. Ro.8:14 tells us: “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” And, 2Pe.3:17 warns us to: “beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the Wicked – fall from your own steadfastness.”
There is no question about it! We will, and we do, suffer in this trial filled world – but praise God 1Pe.2:21 tells us: “For even hereunto were ye called – because Christ also suffered for us – leaving us an example – that ye should follow His steps.” This means that He forged a one man path through this dark, dense valley of the shadow of death – right into His holy eternal loving presence and Kingdom. It is no wonder that the Psalmist says that God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet! We need “the shining Light” of God’s Word to show us the footprints of our Lord that will lead us through this dark and troublesome valley. 1Pe.2:9-10 describes us all collectively: “ye are a chosen generation – a royal priesthood – an holy nation – a peculiar people – that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous Light. (10) Which in time past were not a people – but are now the people of God – which had not obtained mercy – but now have obtained mercy.” This is all because we are being led by the Spirit of God through this sinful and cursed world. By virtue of this saving work of the Holy Spirit – we fulfill the scriptural description of He.10:19-22, which says: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) by a new and living way – which He consecrated for us through the veil – that is to say – His flesh. (21) And having [Him as] an High Priest over the House of God (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…”
This describes “the path of the Just” that “is as the shining Light – that shineth more and more unto the Perfect Day!” Praise the holy Name of Jesus! He came into this dark and sinful world to lead us in the grand and glorious exodus out of its bondage and death [see: Lk.9:28-31]. Well does Ps.85:13 describe His powerful and protective leadership: “Righteousness shall go before Him – and shall set us in the Way of His steps.” Pr.15:9 says: “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord – but He loveth him that followeth after righteousness!” We will not fall victim to the wiles of the devil — when we faithfully follow the footsteps of Christ our eternal Savior and Surety.
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Dec 18, 2019 | Camp News
Well, dear family of God, we have come unto the close of yet another year in this sinful world. Yet another milestone of God’s will and sovereignty on the stage of our life and existence has been accomplished. The ministry of our Lord here at Del-Haven continues to manifest the testimonies of His presence, His purpose, His provision and His preservation. We continually praise and thank Him for this reality. And, this includes all of you who have kept – and continue to keep — us in your prayers. We know this is of the Lord’s doing! So, therefore, as we thank Him – we also want to thank you as well.
In many ways, we have seen days, weeks, months and years – come and go – but no matter the changes that have occurred over time (in this world) – God’s great faithfulness remains strong and sure! This means that — with the Psalmist do we declare: “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name give glory – for thy mercy and for thy truth’s sake!”[Ps.115:1] Praise His Name!
Our prayers must be evermore constant for the staff and campers that God supplies for the work that is performed here. Everyone He has sent and continues to send needs the uplifting of our praying for them to survive the onslaught of the spiritual warfare that surrounds them in this ungodly worldly environment. The ramifications of this adverse reality are constantly upon them, and us! But, praise God, another constant is also always present – and that is — where sin abounds – God’s grace does much more abound! “That as sin hath reigned unto death – even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord!”[Ro.5:21] Your prayers, therefore, are invaluable to us! Hence, we continue to pray for all of you — that you will continue to pray for all of us. Thank you in advance for doing so. May you all have a blessed and wonderful time – a Christ centered time – all during this season.
by John Carpenter | Dec 18, 2019 | Devotional
“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, (79) to give Light to them that sit in darkness – and – in the shadow of death – to guide our feet into the Way of Peace.” [Lk.1:78-79]
We are continuing with our examination of these two final Holy Spirit inspired statements of old Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist – the prophet/forerunner of the earthly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ – the only sovereign Savior/Substitute that there ever was, is, or ever will be! He is “the Dayspring from on high” who “hath visited us”. And, this visitation is referring to what the religious world around us celebrates at this precise time of the year – Christmas!
There is nothing about this particular extraordinary event in our history that took God by surprise. No – that is impossible to do! He planned, purposed and decreed every detail concerning the circumstances of the birth of John the Baptist through the barren Elizabeth and the old priest, Zacharias. In like manner, He planned, purposed and decreed the birth of Christ Jesus through the virgin Mary. This event marks the wonderful, marvelous, gracious, spiritual dawning — that literally takes us from the blackest part of the spiritual night that encompasses this lost and fallen world – and unfolds and reveals unto all those that God the Father has given to God the Son (see Jn.6:37) the beautiful and blessed Light of the gospel of the glory, only, of Christ Jesus, the eternal Savior! (see 2Co.4:3-6)
We all sit in the darkness of “the shadow of death” – which is the everyday environment that exists all around us within this ever constant passing-away-world. Here we sit until our individual and personal divinely covenanted and appointed time that God’s everlasting love finds us…and gives life unto our souls (see the scriptural descriptions of 1Jn.2:17 and Eze.16:4-8). This marks the divine quickening of the Holy Spirit of God that we all desperately need in order to be saved. Note the words of Jesus, Himself, from Jn.6:63> “It is the Spirit that quickeneth – the flesh profiteth nothing! The Words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” [see also Jn.6:64-71]
The reality is this: God — who has brought to pass the eternally covenanted and accomplished incarnation of the eternal Son of God into the likeness of fallen human flesh – through His doing this – He has accomplished the absolute greatest miracle that He has ever done! Ps.115:2-3 descriptively declares: “Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? (3) But our God is in the heavens – He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased!” And, once again – from Ps.135:6 it says: “Whatsoever the Lord pleased – that did He in heaven – and in earth, in the seas, and all the deep places.” These texts dogmatically declare that God has done – He has absolutely accomplished all things — just as He pleases! That’s — in all of time — past, present, and future – and — in all of eternity! Praise His Sovereign, Almighty Name.
The gospel truth concerning Christ’s eternally atoning sacrifice is descriptively declared from Is.53:10. It says: “…it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief; when thou shalt make His soul and offering for sin, He shall see His seed – He shall prolong His days – and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.” This is the substance of pure gospel preaching. And, 1Co.1:21 says: “…it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (see 1Co.1:18) to save them that believe!” This is what constitutes the real eternal purpose of the birth of Christ.
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Nov 27, 2019 | Camp News, Miscellaneous
Well, dear friends and family in Christ our Lord and Savior, we have come once again unto one of the most blessed times to gather together around a meal to express our thanksgiving to our God and enjoy the fellowship of the ones we love. And, from all of us here at Del-Haven – unto all of you – we want to sincerely wish a
Happy Thanksgiving! for 2019.
Please remember, when you bow your heads to pray, all the boys and girls that have been sent by our great Savior into the hearing of the gospel of His great grace here at Camp Del-Haven. Many do not have the same welcoming and loving family environment in which to encounter and experience. But, the great Comforter – the Holy Spirit of our sovereign almighty God – can make all the difference! He can do anything! And, He does everything for His family – Praise His all glorious Name! His Word declares that for Him – Nothing is too hard, or wonderful!
Please do not forget to pray for our staff. The young men and ladies that our Lord will groom and prepare to be His witnesses unto the campers. These true Christian warriors need our ever constant prayerful support! We can never let down our guard while on the battleground of this world. Remember, our adversary, Satan, is like a roaring Lion – seeking whom he may devour! And, our most vulnerable children have always been – and still are – his prime targets!
Please seek the Lord with us for His continual guidance and protection in the ongoing provision of our many needs. We continually thank our God for all of you whom He has enlisted to faithfully and prayerfully support us in this ministry. We love you all – for being there!
by John Carpenter | Nov 27, 2019 | Devotional
“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us, (79) to give Light to them that sit in darkness – and – in the shadow of death – to guide our feet into the Way of Peace.” [Lk.1:78-79]
Once again, we have been examining these two verses which are the capstone conclusion of the Holy Spirit inspired declaration of old priest Zacharias – the earthly father of John the Baptist. Last month we noted a very significant comparison of this account in Luke 1 – with Malachi’s prophecy of the coming of Christ as the “Sun of righteousness” – arising with healing in His wings. This is recorded in Mal.3:1 and 4:1-2. Old Zacharias’s unbelief (and his consequent inability to speak) was immediately healed with the arrival and consecration of his son who would become the prophet/forerunner of the promised “Dayspring from on high”. This marked in our history of fallen humanity the coming of our Kinsman Redeemer — the First Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ! Whereas, as we have already noted, the prophecy of Malachi descriptively declares the final coming of our Kinsman Redeemer into the actual history of fallen humanity – the final Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Now we’re ready to give consideration to verse 79 – which outlines the eternal purpose of the person and work of the Lord Jesus, the incarnated into the likeness of sinful flesh of the eternal Son of God and Son of man! Verse 79 tells us that He who is the “Dayspring from on high” (the Lord Jesus) is the “Light to them that sit in darkness”. These that sit in darkness are, in turn, the “people prepared for the Lord” whom Gabriel announced (in Lk.1:17) that Zacharias’s son (John the Baptist) would “make ready”. These are the publicans and harlots, &c., unto whom John the Baptist ministered the baptism of repentance! It was unto these multitudes of different persons that he proclaimed Christ Jesus as being “the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world”!
The “darkness” that they sit in – is this dark and sin-filled world. 2Co.4:3-4 descriptively declares “if our gospel be hid –it is hid to them that are lost (4) in whom the god of this world (the prince of darkness) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not (exactly like Zacharias was) lest (lit.) the Light of the gospel of the glory only of Christ – who is the image of God – should shine unto them!” It is these “prepared” people that make up the same as those whom Peter describes from 1Pe.2:9-10 as being “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people (or, a people of God’s own personal possession) – that – should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous Light (10) which in time past – were not a people – but are now the people of God – which had not obtained mercy – but now had obtained mercy.”
The apostle Paul writes to us from Eph.5:8,11 and 14: “For ye were sometimes darkness – but now are ye Light in the Lord – walk as children of Light.” “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness – but rather reprove them.” “Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest! And arise from the dead – and Christ shall give thee Light!” That’s the Light of the Truth concerning the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ – which only the Holy Spirit of God and Christ can truly communicate and convey unto us. [see Jn.16:13-15] Therefore does the Holy Spirit through Zacharias also describe being in this world as spiritually being “in darkness and in the shadow of death”. We must always be aware of where we are — and where we are being led! Lord willing — we shall look more closely into all this next month.
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
