by John Carpenter | Aug 25, 2019 | Devotional
“Through the tender mercy of our God – whereby the dayspring from on high 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]
These verses mark the end of a remarkable utterance! The whole of which statement constitutes the Holy Spirit inspired and induced words of Zacharias, the earthly father of John the Baptist. Before we look directly at our text, and what it delivers to us, let’s observe first some important things from its greater context.
The birth of the Baptist was announced by the angel, Gabriel, unto Zacharias, a priest of the Temple of the Lord. Gabriel delivered to the aged Zacharias the message that his prayers for a son would finally be answered. He told him that his son (whom he was to name, John) would go before the One who is to be the Christ, “to make ready – a people – prepared for the Lord” (vs.17). However, Zacharias could not believe the good news. So, therefore, gracious and merciful God closed his mouth so that he would not be able to speak — until all that was reported to him concerning the birth of his son came to pass in its appointed time (vs.20). The silenced Zacharias returns home — and, Elisabeth, his known-to-be-barren wife, conceives. Only God who “quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were.” [Ro.4:17] could do something like that! Praise His Name! Fear not! Believe in Him! [see and note: Mk.5:36]
Unbelief is indeed a plague of sin to real and vibrant spiritual life and growth. Its weeds and thorns and thistles are always springing up in the grace planted garden of God in and among the hearts of mortal men and women in this fallen-in-sin and law-cursed world. Satan, himself, works tirelessly in the hearts and minds of unbelievers – “lest the Light (lit.) of the gospel of the glory of the Christ – who is the image of God – should shine unto them.” [2Co.4:4] And even an old Priest like, Zacharias, who had served many years in the Temple of the Lord is not immune to the sinful existence of unbelief. But, praise the Lord God – He will not allow unbelief to have its reigning and damning dominion over any of His servants [Ro.5:21]. From Rev.3:19 our Lord says: “As many as I love – I rebuke and chasten! Be zealous therefore, and repent!” He sends His angels as a messenger with the good news of His grace and truth – that will cure His servant of the plague of unbelief – and super-abundantly provide the answer to the prayerful longing of the heart of Zacharias. This will give him joy and gladness! [see: Lk.1:13-14]
Vs.57 says: “Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.” When the boy was 8 days old they came to the Temple to get him circumcised according to the command of the Lord – and they named him, John, just as they were told to do. This is when the Lord opened once again the mouth of Zacharias — and as vs.67 says, he, having been filled with the Holy Spirit – heralds forth vs.68-79. This remarkable statement reaches its profound peak in the words of our text (vs.78-79).
These two verses bring forward to us: “…the tender mercy of our God” — which is the source of all the rest of the good things that the most high God declares through His Priest – that will surely come to pass. Which things include: the actual coming of the birth of the God/man – and the purpose of His coming – and the ultimate divine accomplishment where rescuing the people of God is concerned! This makes up the context that encompasses Lk.1:78-79.
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jul 25, 2019 | Camp News
Well, dear friends, we are right now into the midst of the fourth camp session of our 67th Del-Haven camping season. It is our second 6 to 8 year old camp. Already this year we have been blessed to witness evidence and testimony of our Lord’s provision, presence and work in this ongoing ministry.
Right after the second bible class during the older boys camp (9 to 12 yr. olds) – two of the boys – Jason and Ethan – came to me separately and asked if they could have bibles to read of their very own. I was more than happy to comply with their requests. Things like that are so encouraging! “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness – for they shall be filled”. The campfire times have been rich with positive indications of the Holy Spirit’s leading. In our first 6 to 8 year old camp of this year, one little girl, Laleah, spoke up and said, “When I was a little kid …” She revealed how she feared her step-father – especially at night – and since she came to camp (she started coming when she was 6 yrs. old) she just talks to Jesus when she is scared – and that really helps. I asked her how old she was and she said that she was 7. Also, one of our staff help that is a part of our LTS program — testified that she had been coming to Del-Haven since she was 6 (she is 16 now). Both her parents were in prison. She had been bullied throughout her school years – both at school and through the internet. The oppression and stress of it all was horrible – to say the least. Learning about the Lord Jesus (and growing in Him) has kept her from being swallowed up by all that’s happened in her past. She has born witness of her personal assurance that she, indeed, belongs to the Lord…her name is, Madison. Praise the Savior! Please pray for Laleah and Madison.
This is why we keep urging you all to keep praying for both the campers and the staff (as well as us). This is the true spiritual warfare that we are all in! If we’re true believers, we are all in the Lord’s army! Pr.3:5-6 is our “marching mantra” as we pass through this wicked world: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart – Lean not on your own understanding – In all your ways acknowledge Him – And He will direct your path!”
Please continue to pray for the Lord’s ministry here at Camp Del-Haven.
Thank you and we love you.
by John Carpenter | Jul 25, 2019 | Devotional
“Sanctify them by thy truth – thy Word is truth.” “For both He that sanctifieth – and they who are sanctified – are all of one. For which cause, He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book – it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.” “By the which will – we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ – once for all.” “For by one offering – He hath perfected forever – them that are sanctified.” [Jn.17:17; He.2:11; 10:7,10,14]
In God’s Word, to sanctify means to be set apart by holy God – for God’s holy purpose. And, in each of these descriptive passages – it is the person of our Savior/God, the Lord Jesus Christ – or, His saved ones – which is being referred to where sanctification is concerned. Specifically, God’s eternally saved ones are defined in Jn.17:2 as those out of all of fallen human flesh that the Father has given unto the Son. Unto these the Son of God has the sovereign divine authority and power to give eternal life. Even – “to as many as” – the Father has given unto Him! All of these persons will – by God’s will and grace — at some point in the time of their earthly existence, they will come to personally repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as being their eternal sovereign Savior propitiatory substitute. Praise His Name! [see Jn.6:37]
The Jn.17 text also declares unto us that our sanctification is all because of the person and work of Christ Jesus, our Lord. He is both the “Truth” [Jn.14:6] and He is the living “Word” [Jn.1:1-3,14]. If it’s not all Christ, dear ones, it’s all wrong! In fact, this is substantiated by the first text brought forward from the epistle of Hebrews: “For both He that sanctifieth – and they who are sanctified – are all of one.” We are one with Him, because we have been placed in Him. This verse echoes that which is written in 1Jn.4:17, which says: “…as He is – so are we – in this world!”
This sanctification of God’s saved ones is obviously a vital part of the eternal council and purpose of our great and sovereign God in sending His eternal Son into our world to set us apart from the rest of this fallen-in-sin world. Hence, the Son declared from eternity – in eternity – and for eternity: “Behold, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.” Jesus said in Jn.6:38-39: “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me. 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.” Praise the grace of God!
Finally, the matter of the “will” is addressed. He.10:10 explicitly says of God’s will in our being sanctified: “By the which will – we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ – once for all.” This text makes it clear that it is not at all the will of man that initiates, or completes, his sanctification unto his eternal salvation – no – it’s all been done by the will of God – to the glory of God – alone! 1Co.1:30-31 declares the pure gospel truth: “But of Him (or, by His doing) are ye in Christ Jesus – who is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption – that according as it is written – he that glorieth – let him glory in the Lord.” The pure truth of the gospel is in the fact that it is the gospel of the glory — only – of the Lord Jesus Christ – the only sovereign Savior/ substitute that there ever was, is, or ever will be! Hence, He.10:17 boldly proclaims: “For by one offering He hath perfected forever – them that are sanctified!” The Holy Spirit through Paul, without reservation, declares from Acts 20:32: “And, now, brethren, I commend you to God – and to the Word of His grace – which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance – among all them which are sanctified.” All glory to Christ Jesus!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jun 25, 2019 | Camp News, Miscellaneous
Please remember to pray for Evelyn… and dear ones. pray for all the children – pray for all the staff – and pray for us – that God will work — through all of us – His perfect will and good pleasure – all for the glory of Christ Jesus our wonderful Lord. Just as the scripture describes: “Continue in prayer – and watch in same with thanksgiving.” [Col.4:2]
by John Carpenter | Jun 25, 2019 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, we are right at the cusp of officially kicking off the first camp of our 67th Camp Del-Haven season. What a wonderful testimony of the Lord’s presence and working. Plus – there is something both timely and significant that we want to share with you in this regard. In keeping with our Hos.6:3 devotional theme – we received at the end of May an email from a dear lady who attended our very first girls camp back in the early 60’s! Her testimony declares the glory of Christ our Savior. Her name is Evelyn. Here is her testimony — in her own words:
A very long time ago, shortly after the cave man, early 60’s, I was a young Catholic girl who begged my mother for permission to attend a week camp session at Camp Del Haven in Lone Jack, Missouri. The Salvation Army was recruiting girls and paying for our week stay. Camp Del Haven is a non-denominational Christian camp. Rev Don Carpenter and Mary Lee Carpenter, along with their sons and daughter ran the camp. It was the first year they ran a program for girls. The camp had previously been predominately working with troubled boys from various organizations in Kansas City.
My friends and I were anxious to begin a week away from the eagle eyed parents. It was a glorious week, swimming, crafts, and campfires, except for all the praying you had to do. You had to pray when you got up in the morning, pray before eating, after eating, evening services, before going to bed. I went ahead and said a prayer before going to the bathroom, just in case. I won awards for my crafts and for memorizing bible verses.
Friday came all too soon with Hamburgers on the menu. Being a good Catholic girl, there was no way that me or my friends were going to eat meat on Friday. I informed Steve Carpenter, the oldest Carpenter son, that we were Catholic and could not eat meat on Friday. He took me (only me) into the office and asked me where in the bible did the Lord say we couldn’t eat meat on Friday. With my great intelligence, I informed him that was not a Catholic bible. He told me to wait while he left the room only to return with a Catholic bible. Once again he asked me to demonstrate where he could find that information. My great intelligence abandoned me and having to save face somehow, I blamed it on the Church and their teachings or lack of. I informed him we never studied the bible and only memorized Catechism questions and answers. Steve took a lot of time to explain how the Lord works, but I blocked most of it out and kept true to my upbringing. I did not eat the hamburger, but all my friends did. I never accepted the Lord that summer.
Back at home, life continued as before until one night when for some reason I seemed to be in a great deal of trouble, but hadn’t been caught just yet. The night was sweltering and the fan blew hot air, while the sweat ran down my face. The bed sheets seemed to stick to my skin while my mind would not give in to the darkness and allow me to sleep. Over and over, I replayed my actions and what recourse I might have when confronted by my mother. In that moment, the words of Steve Carpenter all came back to me. All the teachings of that week flooded my mind. I heard the “Knock on the door” verse, the promise of the Lord to always be there for me and that Holy Spirit who lives within you. In that moment, I asked the Lord to help me. I said I was sorry for not listening to Him before and I really needed that Holy Spirit to be my friend always. Lightening didn’t strike me, but I was filled with a warm, fuzzy feeling before drifting off to sleep. I told the truth to my mother when asked, and the world didn’t end that day, but had just begun a very long journey for me and the Holy Spirit.
Many times, I found myself in situations where the Lord has saved me. Whenever I drifted too far from His side, he sent people into my life to reinforce that warm sensation the Holy Spirit provides.
I think all of us can be that messenger to another who is struggling, providing just what the Lord orders.
Amen
