by John Carpenter | Feb 18, 2019 | Devotional
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13) For if ye live after the flesh – ye shall die; but, if ye – through the Spirit – do mortify the deeds of the body – ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God – they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear – but ye have received the Spirit of adoption – whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit – that we are the children of God…” [Ro.8:12-16]
We noted last month the two contrasting realities that in one way or the other describes each one of us – in that all people — are either “being led away with the error of the Wicked” [2Pe.3;17] or, they are among the “as many as are led by the Spirit of God” [Ro.8:14]. This gives us the “big picture”! And, I think we all know in which group we want to be found. Therefore, let’s concentrate on the Ro.8:12-16 portion of scripture which describes in more detail all of us who – by God’s sovereign grace – are being led by the Holy Spirit of God through the darkness of this law-cursed and fallen world — directly into an holy and heavenly eternity.
Vs.13 draws a conclusion from what has been presented from Ro.8:1-12. It says: “we are debtors”. But, to whom exactly are we indebted? And, more importantly, do we even possess the capability to remit ourselves from the debt that we owe? Well, as far as the first question is concerned, the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul identifies who it is that we are indebted to in two ways. First, by how he addresses us. He calls us, “brethren” – or, in other words, we are his fellow family members in Christ. And second, the Spirit through Paul dogmatically eliminates our being indebted to ourselves – or, to our own fallen fleshly nature of thinking and living! This is explicitly described in vs.5-11. We are not debtors to think and walk according to our fallen-in-sin flesh. For if we think and walk in accordance to the flesh – it is certain we shall die! [see vs.6] But – all praise and glory to God – if we, through thinking and walking in accordance to the influence and power of the Holy Spirit – and, by Him, do mortify [or, put to death] the sinful deeds of the body of our flesh – then we shall live! [see vs.6] This is precisely in conjunction with our being led through this passing-away-world by the Holy Spirit. It is thinking and living by the leading of the Spirit of God – that identifies us as truly being the children of God! This is exactly the message that’s declared from vs.14. And, this gives a dogmatic “No” answer to the second question above in regards to whether or not we even possess the capability – from ourselves and for ourselves – to remit ourselves from the debt that we owe. Beloved – therefore — behold the manifestation of whom it is that we are obviously forever indebted to – that One to whom we owe the eternal salvation of our very souls! We are forever indebted to the Spirit of Christ, our God!
Vs.15 descriptively declares that we have not received – from our loving and gracious Savior/God “the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of Adoption – whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”! This is a particularly significant blessing that signifies that one has been eternally and assuredly included in the eternally accomplished atonement. The atonement that has been perfectly performed by the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ! That which is presented here in Ro.8 up to this verse — and on through vs.16 – is the same theme as presented to us from Gal.4:4-7 (check it out).
How is it, then, that we come to know that we are among all those whom Christ has eternally redeemed? “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit – that we are the children of God…” The “Spirit of Adoption” tells us so! Praise His wonderful Name! Thank you, Lord! Amen.
For Christ’s Glory Only!
-John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jan 19, 2019 | Camp News
Praises and Prayer Requests for January
Dear ones, it is with bitter/sweet emotions that I report to you of the passing into glory of another of the Del-Haven family. Dr. Steve Mason went to be with the Lord on December 28, 2018. He was a loved and dear friend of mine (and of our whole family). Steve and his wife, Sherry, served on our Board of Directors — as well as always being faithful supporters of the ministry. Steve was first of all – a Christian – who happened to also be an excellent chiropractor – one of the best! We have many blessed memories of our dear brother in Christ. Please, dear family-in-Christ, remember especially — to pray for Sherry in this season of sadness and worldly adjustment — that only the comfort of the Holy Spirit can lead her gently and safely through. Thank you in advance for doing so.
As always, may we remind you to be in prayer for our staff helpers? Please pray for those we know are returning – and for those that we need for the Lord to lead unto us (especially male helpers). The number of our staff help directly determines the number of campers we can accommodate. These are the ones on the front line in the spiritual battle where the souls of the children are concerned. This is an ongoing need.
Special thanks to those of you who have specifically responded to the mattress cover expense. For this – we say – Praise the Lord!
Jeff and I discovered a couple of trees that we needed to trim and take down. The degree of difficulty in accomplishing this task was more than we could handle. So we prayed for the Lord to help us. A few days later I got a knock on the door and it was a young man who told me he was with a new tree service – and he was going from house to house seeing if there were any trees that people needed help with. I asked him if he could follow me and led him to the trees that were a threat to Jeff’s home. We had just received a gift that was the exact amount for what they announced would take care of our tree problem. Again, Praise the Lord! He always is eternally faithful and true!
If you, or someone you know, is interested in serving the Lord with us this summer, please have them call Sheri at 816-690-8465 or email sheri@campelhaven.org for more information.
2019 Summer Camp Schedule
| Session |
Dates |
| 1 |
6-8 Boys and Girls |
June 17-20 |
| 2 |
9-12 Girls |
June 24-27 |
| 3 |
9-12 Boys |
July 8-11 |
| 4 |
6-8 Boys and Girls |
July 15-18 |
| 5 |
9-12 Girls |
July 22-25 |
| 6 |
9-12 Boys |
July 29-Aug.1 |
2018 giving receipts will be mailed out before the end of January 2019. If you notice any errors or you do not receive one, please contact us.
by John Carpenter | Jan 19, 2019 | Devotional, Miscellaneous
“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before – beware lest ye also – being led away with the error of the wicked – fall from your own stedfastness.” [2Pe.3:17] “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13) For if ye live after the flesh – ye shall die; but, if ye – through the Spirit – do mortify the deeds of the body – ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God – they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear – but ye have received the Spirit of adoption – whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” [Ro.8:12-15]
All who are alive on this earth – in this world – right now – are, one way, or another — being described in these two particular portions of God’s Word. We are either being led away with the error of the wicked, or we are being led by the Spirit of God. Therefore, there are two things we must never lose sight of – or, two things we must never forget: First, we must never forget where it is that we are; and Second, we must remember that we are all being led from here to eternity by one of two influential ways of thinking! In regards to the first premise of where we are – of which we should constantly be conscious — we are in this lost, dark, trial-and-sorrow-filled, sinful and cursed world. Yes, this world truly is (just as Ps.23:4 describes) — “the valley of the shadow of death” – and, we are all – one way or the other — being led through it. And, this world is not our friend.
The context of 2Pe.3:10 describes the firey destruction and end that this fallen-in-sin world is inevitably hastening toward. The Holy Spirit of God, through the apostle Peter, so graphically and explicitly tells us: “But the day of the Lord will come – as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat – the earth also – and the works that are therein – shall be burned up!” This event will take place the same day that the Spirit through John describes from Re.20:11: “And I saw a great white throne – and Him that sat on it – from whose face – the earth and heaven fled away – and there was found no place for them!” This present world has been, and right now is – literally passing away right before our eyes — unto its just and righteous perdition that will most certainly come to pass at the all-glorious and all holy return of the Almighty Lord Jesus Christ.
As true believers and followers of the Lord Jesus, we – by God’s grace – have an unbreakable, eternal relationship with Him. It is Christ – and Christ alone – that will get us safely through the dark and evil “death-valley” of this world! Praise His wonderful Name, what is descriptively declared from 1Jn.5:19 rings completely true for us: “And we know – that we are of God – (lit.) and the whole world – in the Wicked One lies.” It is no wonder why 1Jn.2:15-17 imperatively warns us to: “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 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.”
It is the way of this world to think of, and bring in, a New Year with a spirit of revelry and riotous activity. But, this is the common way of wantonness in which the Wicked One leads his captives! Nevertheless, let us, by the Holy Spirit of grace remember and heed His divine exhortation: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immovable – always abounding in the work of the Lord – forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain – in the Lord.” [1Co.15:58]
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Dec 15, 2018 | Camp News
Praises and Prayer Requests
Well, dear ones, it’s hard to believe we have come to the end of 2018! We have had a couple of light snowfalls already – and it is not yet officially Winter. But, the Lord truly is gracious – the crisp and cold air smells so clean and good.
As we look forward to the approaching of 2019 – we continue to earnestly pray for the Lord to provide a fresh new influx of good male helpers! We also do not want to forget our good female helpers that we still have on board. They need constant prayer as well. Your faithful prayers are so important to us…and, to our staff…and to all the boys and girls that we have ministered to — and that we will be ministering to! Thank you so much for being there for us as you are.
Guess what! We have had given unto us some beautiful granite countertops. However, they have not yet been installed. This is because it takes some special skilled labor to accomplish this job. The countertops have been simply sitting in a corner of our Dining Hall – waiting for the Lord to send to us the ones that can work with them and get them installed for us. Finally, the Lord has sent us someone who can fulfill this task. Whether or not this will get done (like anything else) will be up to the Lord’s moving. Please remember to pray with us in this regard. It will make for a very nice finish where the renovation of our Kitchen is concerned. We will keep you updated.
One other thing – we already know that we will be needing some new plastic mattress covers for many of our beds. What we need is 40 new covers. They cost about $7.00 each. We are praying for the Lord’s leading and provision where this particular need is concerned.
Your faithful support in prayers and gifts is greatly appreciated. The cold weather causes a lot more need for propane gas. We try to keep the wood stove going as much as we can to help cut down on the gas furnace. The Lord knows our needs even before we ask…yet He commands of us to cast all our care upon Him because He cares for us. Praise the Savior!
We hope and pray that you all have a very blessed and joy filled Christmas time of year!
by John Carpenter | Dec 15, 2018 | Devotional
“And without controversy, great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh…”“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”“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.”“But when — the fulness of the time was come – God sent forth His Son – made of a woman, made under the law, (5) to redeem them that were under the law – that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6) And because ye are sons – God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” [1Ti.3:16; Jn.1:14; Ro.8:3-4; Ga.4:4-6]
Each one of these scripture references descriptively declares the single most significant and most wonderful occurrence in the whole of the history of fallen-in-sin humanity! An event that would be completely constructed and perfectly performed by the eternal, all-powerful and all-constraining love and grace of God! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son” [Jn.3:16] This marks the historical event that would be God’s fulfillment of His promise that there would come into fallen humanity the “Seed of the woman” – who would crush the head of the Serpent. The revelatory reality of the incorruptible Seed of the Word of the Truth of the everlasting gospel is that this “Seed of the woman” would be the holy incarnation into “the likeness of sinful flesh” of the eternal and almighty Son of God! We know Him from our sin-poisoned history as the holy Savior — our Lord Jesus Christ! 1Jn.3:8 announces unto us: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested – that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
It was the wicked evil plan and purpose of the subtlety of Satan to surreptitiously corrupt – and thereby kill — along with Adam and Eve – all their children as well! And, at first sight, it seemed that he had successfully done it! For the Word of God says: “For as in Adam – all die” [1Co.15:22] “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” [Ro.3:23] And, “For the wages of sin is death…” [Ro.6:23] Therefore, do each of these descriptive declarations include every single fallen-in-sin person that makes up the whole progeny of Adam and Eve!
Nevertheless, 700+ years before the actual birth of Christ, the same Word of God foretold these words: “But thou Bethlehem – Ephratah(!) – though thou be little among the thousands of Judah yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been of old – from everlasting!” [Mic.5:2] The word, “Ephratah” means: Fruitful. The announcement that the Holy Spirit makes through His prophet, Micah, is that in the little town of Bethlehem there would be born and come forth — the eternal Fruit of the incarnation into the likeness of sinful flesh – the eternal Son of God. He would be the promised “Seed of the woman” who would also be the eternal sovereign Savior Son of man. He would come from eternity into the history of fallen humanity in “the fullness of time” to fulfill God’s perfect purpose. He is the one whom we know as the Lord Jesus Christ – the King of kings and the Lord of lords! He is the one whom we also come to know as being our sovereign, Savior Substitute! His life and death and resurrection has made for us a holy and perfect redemptive propitiation for our sinful souls! The Word of God descriptively declares: “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus – who, of God – is made unto us – wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption – that according as it is written: he that glorieth – let him glory (only) in the Lord.” [1Co.1:30-31] If it’s not all Christ – it’s all wrong! Praise His Holy all-glorious Name!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
–John Carpenter
