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
by John Carpenter | Jul 21, 2020 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, by this time in July, Camp Del-Haven would have already had three full camp sessions. We would have had a younger children’s camp (age 6-8); an older girls camp (age 9-12); and an older boys camp (age 9-12). However, by virtue of God’s sovereign, all-governing will and direction – where not only our regular camp schedule is concerned, but where the state of our whole world is concerned – for the first time in our history – our general agenda of ministry has had to be abandoned.We definitely need to include in our prayers right now — for sovereign God to rule over our country and its leaders at all levels to lead us to a peaceful resolve regarding all the restrictions that are presently upon us. Nothing is too hard, or too wonderful for our Almighty and merciful God!
Of course, we also need to band together and be in prayer for all the boys and girls that make up our campers – for all the young men and women that make up our staff – and (perhaps even more especially) for all the moms and dads; all the grandmas and grandpas; and all the care providers of the children to not succumb to all the fleshly fear that is so prevalent at this hour so as to not respond to our invitation to the families to come to Camp Del-Haven for just a day. A day of fun, relaxation and rest – with a focus upon “the word of the truth of the gospel”. [see Col.1:5]
Dear ones, thank you so much for continuing to stand with us in all of your prayerful support! Whatever the coming days unfold to us – we know without a doubt that the wonderful message of Ro.8:28 remains eternally true: “And we know – that all things work together for good – to them that love God – to them that are the called – according to His purpose!” Praise His Holy Name!!
Here is an email we received when we went to confirm addresses for our summer newsletters. What a joy it was to hear from a former camper (Lacey) whose son and nieces are current campers.
Hey Sheri, yes our address is the same. Leland, Destany, and Aliyah were all sad they can’t go to Del-Haven this year. They really look forward to going each year as did I when I was a camper. They are actually planning their own backyard camp to do with arts and crafts, nature walks, swim time, singing the camp songs, and Bible study. We’re going to set up a tent in the yard. Destany and Aliyah are making a schedule they are going to follow. They told me they have to have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches the first day and pizza on Wednesday and even end with a campfire. Hope you guys are doing well. Lacey
by John Carpenter | Jul 21, 2020 | Devotional
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above – not on the earth.(3) For ye are dead – and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Col.3:1-3]
“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!” [1Jn.2:15-17]
“For what the law could not do — in that it was weak through the flesh — God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh – and for sin – condemned sin in the flesh (4) that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us – who walk not after the flesh – but after the Spirit. (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.8:3-9]
The evil man (or, woman) of this world is described in the Book of Proverbs in this way: “as he thinketh in his heart – so is he!” Therefore, from the above descriptive declaration he would fit the bill of one who loves this world and the things of this world. The way of this world – and the desires of this world – are motivated by -and oriented towards — what the Word of God refers to as the flesh. The flesh of this fallen world and its corrupt system. However, everyone whom God the Father has sent God the Son into this sinful world to seek and to save them from their sins has been united with the Lord Jesus Christ in His sin atoning death and resurrection. Therefore, if we have been raised up with Christ – then we will not seek the things of this sinful world, but rather we will seek those things which are above where Christ sits on the right hand of God the Father! We have died with Christ and our new life is hid with Him – where He now is – in God.
This is why we, who are Christ’s, do not love this sinful world – nor the fleshly things of it. The things of this world are not at all “the things” of our holy God – nor “the things” that are in our holy God! For “the world passeth away and the lust thereof – but He that doeth the will of God abideth forever!” And, the He that doeth the will of God – is the God/man, Christ Jesus, our Surety – in whom we have been placed from before the foundation of this world! [see Eph.1:3-5]
This brings us to the Ro.8 context and its wonderful descriptive declaration. When God gave His Law unto Moses on Mt. Sinai, He did not give it in order for fallen sinful man to achieve keeping it in their fallen and sinfully fallen flesh. No! It was to manifest clearly and completely how miserably weak our sinful flesh really and truly is! As God’s Word declares from Ro.3:20: “Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight – for by the Law is the (full) knowledge of sin.” This is why God sent His own Beloved Eternal Son – “in the likeness of sinful flesh – and for sin – condemned sin in the flesh”! He condemned His people’s sin – in His own Son’s flesh – so that – “the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us – who walk not (right now, through this sinful, fallen and passing away world) after the flesh, but after the Spirit!” Praise the Name of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus! We shall continue to elaborate on this wonderful pure gospel truth in even more detail. Until then – may God be glorified!
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
