by John Carpenter | Mar 12, 2020 | Devotional
“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees – ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” [Mt.5:20]
“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God – but not according to knowledge. (3) For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” [Ro.10:2-4]
Where the pure truth concerning “the righteousness of God” is concerned there is a great deal of misunderstanding. The consequence of being sinners in this sin filled world makes it impossible for anyone (lit.) “to come unto a full knowledge of the truth” [1Tim.2:3] – apart from the free grace of God and the Holy Spirit of God. Sin adversely affects the judgment of even the most religious – the most intelligent – or, the most all around gifted sinner. There is no exception! We need the Spirit of Christ for all our spiritual understanding needs! [see: Pr.16:22; Jn.7:38; Eph.1:17-18]
Where the righteousness that we need for eternal salvation is concerned, Jesus, Himself, said what has been recorded from Mt.5:20 (see above) — and this text is still the Truth. The righteous-ness that we need in order to be accepted and approved by holy, holy, holy God for heaven…or, to put it another way — for us to be “meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Light” [see: Col.1:12] – is none other than the righteousness that only God the Father can give us by His great grace – through the person and work of His incarnated only begotten and beloved Son – the Lord Jesus Christ!
We need what the Word refers to as “the righteousness of God”. For example, “the righteousness of God” is like that which is described and recorded in Ro.1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ – for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…(17) For therein – is the righteousness of God revealed…”. Therefore, “the righteousness of God” is made known unto us by personal divine revelation through hearing “the gospel of Christ” which is “the power of God unto salvation.” [see: Ro.10:16-17] This is why Col.1:12 completely says: “Giving thanks unto the Father – which hath made us meet (or, qualified) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Light..” And, Christ is, also, the Light – Praise His Holy Name!
So then, it is only by the will of God the Father that anyone has been made to be qualified, approved and “accepted in the Beloved”. [see: Eph.1:3-6]
Ro.10:2 refers all those who like the scribes and Pharisees – have a real zeal for God, but it is a zeal that is not in accordance with (lit.) a “full knowledge” of who God is!
And why is that? Jesus, Himself, explains why from Mt.11:25-27: “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, (the scribes and Pharisees) and hast revealed them unto babes. (newly “born from above” infants!) (26) Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. (27) All things are delivered unto me of my Father – and no man (lit.) fully knoweth the Son, but the Father – neither (lit.) fully knoweth any man the Father – save the Son – and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” Of course, all of this revelation experience is brought to pass by the Holy Spirit of God. We will try to delve deeper into this wonderful subject of the “everlasting gospel.” [see: Rev.14:6]
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Feb 23, 2020 | Camp News
Well, dear friends and family in Christ, we are officially in the count down to when we will begin having our “work Saturdays” all the way up to June – when we start our season of camps. Once again, the list of things that we need to get done will be extreme – but our Lord God will guide us. And, once again, we implore your faithful prayers that all will go well and the 2020 season of Camp Del-Haven will get off to another beautiful beginning!
In praying for our preparation of the campgrounds – please remember to seek our Lord’s intercession in whom He wills to send to camp as far as the camper boys and girls are concerned. At the start of each camp session I try to address the children and – right up front – I tell them that each and everyone of them is there as an answer to prayer. I want them to know that God is in control and we have prayed for all of them in advance. The ones who have been here before and are coming back to Del-Haven for another camp – as well as those who are here for the first time. God willing, this will lay a firm foundation for what they can expect throughout the week. Please support us in your faithful prayers for them.
Theresa and I were in Wal-Mart just the other day — and there was Hannah R., one of our faithful regulars on the girls staff. She was with her mother getting some groceries. We greeted each other with hugs and I cheerfully asked, “Are you going to be able to help us again this coming summer?” To which she gave a hearty positive reply. Here again, is another testimony of encouragement from our forever faithful sovereign God who knows our needs even before we ask Him! Nevertheless, please continue to pray for our Lord’s supply of male and female staff members – as it is subject to change at any moment. The Lord, Himself, is our “Rock” where those whom we will have each year on our staff is concerned. We are all willing volunteers for Jesus (see Ps.110:3) – Praise His Name!
We have some good news to give! Two of the most critical buildings that were targeted for needing new roofs (our Restroom/Shower House Building and our Craft Building) quite unexpectedly were completely tended to and totally done! Thanks to Fidler On The Roof KC. They were on the ball, thorough and efficient. The shingles they used are warranted for 30 years! Praise the Savior! Now we don’t have to worry about those buildings being uninsured. Thanks for your prayers with us, also, in this regards.
One of our male staff members who is returning this summer would like to take a certified lifeguard training course. We need $325 to cover the expense for this training. Please pray with us that the Lord will supply the extra funds to be able to cover this expense as it will fill a great need in caring for the safety of all of our campers/staff.
by John Carpenter | Feb 23, 2020 | Devotional
“And you – that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind – by wicked works – yet now hath He reconciled (22) in the body of His flesh through death – to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.” [Col.1:21-22] “Christ…loved the church, and gave Himself for it; (26) That He might sanctify and cleanse it – with the washing of water by the Word, (27) that He might present it to Himself a glorious church – not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” [Eph.5:25-27]
These two texts describe a work performed by Christ. A work not unlike the very creation of the world itself, for, indeed, it is describing the “new creature” [2Co.5:17] that every saved sinner is “in Christ”! Yes, this work is one that could only be done by the incarnated eternal Son of God, viz., the Lord Jesus Christ – the absolute greatest human ever to be born in and upon the timeline of fallen human history! Through Him alone — and for His glory alone – this work of perfecting the saints has been completely and totally accomplished! Not only has it been accomplished by Christ Jesus, the Lord, but because He is the eternal Son of God incarnated – it has been accomplished from eternity – in eternity – and for eternity! Praise His eternally holy and almighty Name!
Dear ones, He is our perfect propitiation before eternal and holy, holy, holy God. This literally means that He, and He alone is our only perfectly holy satisfaction before God. Christ Jesus (the incarnated eternal Son of God) has perfectly and eternally satisfied all the holy and eternal requirements — for all those whom God the Father has given unto Him [see Jn.6:37;17:2]. This includes their eternal Redemption, eternal Justification and their eternal Reconciliation — before, and with the Lord our God. This is what constitutes eternal salvation! “Salvation is of the Lord”!
This also means that Christ has satisfied the perfect Justice – of Almighty God! Our sins deserve the Divine Justice of eternal Hell itself. Therefore, our eternal Redeemer was made to be our sin [See 2Co.:5:21] and He satisfied Divine Justice for us as our eternal Savior and Substitute! The apostle Peter was Holy Spirit inspired to write concerning Christ’s atonement of us in these words: “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree…” and, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins – the Just – for the unjust – that He might bring us to God – (lit.) having been put to death in the flesh – but quickened by the Spirit.”[1Pe.2:24;3:18] Praise His holy, holy, holy Name!
How else can we be described by the Holy Spirit through the pen of His messenger and preacher, the apostle Paul — in such language that has been recorded in God’s Word from two different places in holy scripture? We are said to be: “holy” – “unblameable” – and “unreproveable in His sight” – according to the text in Colossians; and we are presented (i.e. lit., made to stand) before Him, our glorious Savior/God – “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” – but we are before Him: “holy and without blemish”! This is what it means to be among all those who have been included in the eternal atonement of the eternal “Lamb of God” the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise His Wonderful Name! If it’s not all Christ – it is all wrong!
God sees us – right where He placed us “before the foundation of the world”[see Eph.1:3-4]! The truth of the gospel of the glory, only, of our Lord Jesus Christ is even better news than we all thought! Look at, and meditate upon, that which is written in 1Jn.4:16-19! This passage is a very present help in the time of our being in this world of our trouble. Let us contemplate the mind-blowing last phrase of 1Jn. 4:17 and Rejoice! It says: “because as He is – so are we – in this world.”
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jan 20, 2020 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, this old sinful world has turned yet another annual page in the history of its passing away. [see: 1Jn.2:15-16] According to our sovereign Lord’s eternal and immutable purpose and decree — Del-Haven Ministry will be conducting its 68th camping season of proclaiming the pure truth of the gospel of the glory, only, of the Lord Jesus Christ! Our very existence for this particular purpose is, indeed, a real testimony of our Lord’s faithfulness in graciously guiding, providing and preserving us. And, all of you who have been moved to prayerfully support us in whatever way that you have – “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which ye have showed toward His Name – in that ye have ministered to the saints – and do minister.” [He.6:8]
All of us here at Del-Haven want to — once again — thank all of you for being there and praying for us like you do. We love you, dearly, and we constantly pray for all of you as well!
Having said all of that – may we remind you to not forget to lift up in your prayers our ongoing staff situation – along with all of the many boys and girls that our Lord sends to camp each summer. We are always in need of many prayers for those whom the Lord sends to us to help work through the camp schedule with the children and communicate directly to them the Word of God’s great grace. And, we are always in need of God’s people to pray for Him to nurture the children that go through the scripture memory classes and the devotions after every meal and the daily Bible classes. Pray that God – as only He can do – will reveal Himself to them and lead them in their walk through this dreadful world. We have seen how our wonderful Lord hears and answers our prayers in His doing exactly that! So, please, dear ones, do remember to pray for us.
There are a total of 14 building structures on Del-Haven. After an inspection by our insurance company – there is some need for building maintenance throughout the whole camp. Some of the needed upkeep is urgent or our insurance company will not insure the buildings. The roofs on our Craft Building and our Restroom/Shower House Building need to be completely replaced. We have had a roofing company also do an inspection — and they can do a really good and thorough job on these two buildings for $4,910. As only the Lord could do – we somehow were able to get remodeled our Dining Hall Kitchen – and re-wired the whole building – put new shower stalls in the Restroom/Shower House Building – and still ended up with $4,191 left over from what was generously donated to do all of this wonderful work! So, we only need $719 and we can take care of the roofs of these two buildings and be back in good standing with our insurer. Please be in prayer with us, and for us, to be able to get this accomplished. Thank you and God bless you all.
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
