by John Carpenter | Oct 21, 2018 | Devotional
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus – who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) 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.” [Ro.8:1-4]
Unto whom are the wonderful words of the first phrase of this section of holy scripture being addressed? The answer is: To everyone that is included in the group; “to them which are in Christ Jesus”. This, in turn, begs an answer to two more questions: What exactly does it mean to be, “in Christ Jesus”? And, just how exactly are we included in that group? The answer to all three of these questions is the very substance of 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!
The first phrase of 1Co.1:30 explicitly and descriptively declares: “But, of Him (i.e. God) are ye in Christ Jesus”. Or, more literally it is saying: “But, by His doing – are ye in Christ Jesus”. Eph.1:3-4 echoes this reality in the way it describes God the Father. It says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (4) according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world – that we should be holy and without blame before Him – in love” (which is a more graphic way of saying that we have no condemnation in Christ Jesus). This same Ephesian passage also tells how it is that we have been included among all those that are being referred to in the phrase: “to them which are in Christ Jesus”. We were included in this group by our heavenly Father who blessed us – not only with the spiritual blessing of our being placed and eternally positioned in Christ, but also with our being blessed with ALL the other additional spiritual blessings that go along with being placed in Christ! Plus, this text even reveals to us — how and when — all this took place! It says: “According as He hath chosen us in Him – before the foundation of the world”. Wow! Praise the Lord! So, therefore, according to God’s Word – He chose us in Christ – He placed us in Christ – and, furthermore, He graciously blessed us with – not just one or two of His spiritual blessings, but – All of His spiritual blessings in Christ, our Savior! (which include His: “wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption”[the rest of 1Co.1:30])
Next, let’s focus on the last two words of vs.4 – “in love”. The Word of God from Jer.31:3 reveals to us: “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with – an everlasting love. Therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Hence, these two words at the end of Eph.1:4 must refer to this same eternal love — God’s eternal love! This is the personal, individual love that God has, first of all, for His beloved, darling, eternal Son – and, second of all, for each and everyone of His eternally loved, chosen and placed positionally in – His Son! Take heed to how Jesus prayed to His Father the night before He bore our sins to Calvary: Jn.17:23-26: “I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (24) Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me – for thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world. (25) O righteous Father… (26) I have declared unto them thy Name – and will declare it – that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them – and I in them.” Grant us Lord, by thy grace, to receive this wonderful truth!
-For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Sep 24, 2018 | Camp News
Praises and Prayer Requests
Well, dear ones, we may finally be embarking on the pleasant, cooler days of Autumn. How refreshing that will be! Soon the campground will become aglow with all of God’s beautiful Fall colors of the forest leaves. It will be but another wonderful testimony of His matchless glory.
Just recently we received word of another loved one of the Camp Del-Haven family being called home to be with the Lord. It was Archie Murdock. He and his wife, Dorothy, served on our board of directors for many years. The two of them have been loyal allies and supporters of this ministry. They have never forgotten us – and we will never forget them. Please remember Dorothy in your prayers at this time. Pray for the comfort and peace and strength that only God can give unto her. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”
The move of Jeff Hall and his family onto the campground is making good progress. Please continue to support them with your prayers and however else the Lord may lead you. If any of you have any questions – just call: (816) 277-7071.
As always, please remember to pray for us – that our God would provide just the right male and female staff members. We especially need male help on our staff. The number of campers that we can handle depends directly to the number of good staff we have for any camp session. The effective ratio is typically one staff person per four campers. The Lord God knows what we need in order to do His work – and Camp Del-Haven is definitely His work!
Also, dear family in Christ, please do not forget to lift up all the children that the Lord has sent to us as campers. They need our continual, faithful prayers that the Spirit of Christ will truly establish a true relationship with them – in their daily lives. Their neighborhoods; their homes; their schools – are fraught with the traps and snares of the Evil One and this world. There’s only one way that any of us can safely make it through this world – and that is by the leading and protection of the Holy Spirit of God! We pray for you-all – for your continual love and support – that our Lord will bless you and keep you – and that you will remember to pray for the boys and girls that God, through us, has planted the good seed of His glorious gospel. As it has before been stated: This ministry was founded on prayer – and has been sustained by prayer – and will only continue with prayer. We need your prayers! Thank you for being there. We love you all.
by John Carpenter | Sep 24, 2018 | Devotional
“Jesus answered: Verily, verily, I say unto thee – except a man be born of water and of the Spirit – he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” “There is therefore now – no condemnation – to them which are in Christ Jesus – who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus – hath made me free — from the law of sin and death.(3) 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.” [Jn.3:5; Ro.8:1-4]
The reason these two texts are referenced together is because there is a cohesive connection between them. Jn.3:5 comes to us from the conversation of Nicodemus and Jesus. Jesus declares salvation to Nicodemus, “a master/teacher of Israel” (3:10). And, this is the very first context that the expression “born again” (3:3) is used; and, it is significant that it is first used by none other than Christ. The term, “born” means: to be regenerated; whereas, the word used for “again” can be more accurately translated as: from above. We all are (or, at least, we all ought to be) very interested in just exactly what this truly means. The Lord says without this birth occuring in our personal lives – we can neither “see” (or perceive, 3:3), nor “enter”, the Kingdom of God!
Jesus specifically tells Nicodemus from Jn.3:5 that being born again (or, more lit., born from above) means to be born “of water and of the Spirit”. “Water” is scripturally related to the Holy Word of God in Eph.5:26 where the gospel is proclaimed by relating how Christ so loved “the Church” that He gave Himself for it – “that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water (lit.) in the Word”. Additionally, Jesus from Jn.17:2 says of all His saved ones: “Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” It is no wonder that the Holy Spirit inspired the apostle Paul to write what is written in Titus 3:5-6: “not by (or, not out of) works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy – He saved us – by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (6) which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior.” And, also, James – by the same Holy Spirit – writes from Jas.1:18: “Of His own will – He begat us (or, He caused us be born again) with the Word of Truth”.
But, how do we know that this all important “born from above” – genuine spiritual experience – has indeed happened to us? We know – by the same means that we have been referring to: by the Holy Spirit and the holy Word of God. Jesus, the only begotten, dearly beloved, eternal Son of God – is the living Word of God! When Jesus announced that He (and God the Father) would send to us the Holy Spirit to specifically fulfill the revealing unto us the things concerning Himself i.e. the eternal accomplishments of Christ as the only sovereign, Savior, substitute that there ever was, is or ever will be – He told us: “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me” “He shall glorify me – for He shall receive of mine – and shall show it (or, shall announce it; shall reveal it) unto you. (15) All things that the Father hath are mine – therefore said I – that He shall take of mine and shall show it unto you.” [Jn.14:36; 16:14-15.
And, the things that the Holy Spirit will reveal unto us – are the more-than-marvelous things that are declared in Ro.8:1-4! These are things that pertain to our walk through this fallen world. You can read of them for yourselves. May the Spirit lead you to do so. May He teach you what great things are being said here. More than that, may you also realize the living truth of them. Amen.
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Aug 27, 2018 | Camp News, Ministry News
Praises and Prayer Requests
Well, dear friends and family in Christ, we have completed yet another very blessed summer camp season here at Del-Haven. Our last older girls camp was a remarkable testimony of our Lord’s presence. Around the last campfire, several of the girls stated that their favorite time at camp was learning about the Lord at the Bible study time. Each year we give all the campers brand new Bibles. In fact, it’s safe to say that the two most mentioned favorite things are the food and the Bible studies…or, the physical meals and the spiritual meals. They all declared that they wanted to come back! Please continue to faithfully lift all the children up in your prayers.
Please remember to seek the Lord with us concerning additional male help to be added on our staff for next year. It would be great to have five mature — dedicated to serve the Lord — young men on our staff for next summer. We need them for four camp sessions that would run from Monday through Thursday. Two for our camps for age 6 to 8 year old boys, and two for our camps for age 9 to 12 year old boys. Please pray with us concerning this matter. If you know of any young men – let’s say 14 years old, or older – that might like to do this – we would love to talk to them! Please give us a call: 816-690-8465, or 277-7071.
On Saturday, the 18th – we had a wonderful “thank-you-celebration” for the men and women of First Baptist Church of Oak Grove – plus others — whom the Lord chose to help us with the renovation of our kitchen and restrooms, et. al. We had a blessed time of fellowship over hot dogs, hamburgers and ribs along with Theresa’s famous baked beans (well, they’re famous as far as I’m concerned) and her wonderful potato salad. It is a taste of heaven to sit around a feast table with, and among, the family of God! Thank you, Lord, for granting to us such good times!
by John Carpenter | Aug 27, 2018 | Devotional
“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints (16) cease not to give thanks for you — making mention of you – in my prayers; (17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (18) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened – that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what (are) the riches of His glory of the inheritance in the saints. (19) And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe- – according to the working of His mighty power (20) which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places (21) far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion – and every name that is named – not only in this world, but also in that which is to come (22) and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body – the fulness of Him that filleth all in all!” [Eph.1:15-23]
This section of scripture, among other things, gives unto us the true method, message and maintenance of genuine and Holy Spirit effective evangelism. The method is the bold heralding forth of the announcement of the pure truth of the everlasting gospel of God’s great grace (Rev.14:6). Once evidence is seen that the message has been favorably received – genuine evangelism follows up with Spirit led prayer. The first chapter of the epistle of Ephesians – from verses 3 through 14 — succinctly describes the pure truth concerning God’s message of eternal salvation by God’s grace, alone, through the person and work, alone, of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is dogmatically declared to be “according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace…” (vs.5-6); and, again, from vs.7 – it is descriptively declared that our eternal redemption is entirely “according to the riches of His grace”. And, because the apostle Paul had heard that God’s grace had been effectually bestowed upon the Ephesians – resulting in their truly believing in the Lord Jesus, and which in turn resulted in the love that they were displaying unto all the saints – he did not, nor could not – cease to lift them up to the Lord God in his earnest prayers! This is the Holy Spirit-led maintenance that descriptively marks a vital part of the true evangelistic process. And, just exactly what is it that Paul was specifically led to pray that God would do for them?
He prayed that God – the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ — the incarnated eternal Son of God – would give unto the grace-blessed Ephesian believers the Holy Spirit of “wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him”. “Wisdom”, to walk through the maze of trials in this fallen-in-sin world (Col.3:15); “Revelation” whereby they would consistently realize the relationship with Christ that they have on a daily, step by step basis (1Jn.1:7); and, “Knowledge” – the full knowledge of our Lord and Savior that we continually grow into according to the sovereign will of God (2Pe.3:18).
Next, Paul’s Spirit-led prayer addresses the illumination of the eyes of their understanding – so that they may know what is the hope of God’s calling into the riches of His holy glorious inheritance in His saints (Col.1:12). As well as, for them to understand what is the exceeding greatness of the power of God’s grace that is bestowed upon us who truly do believe. It is the same glorious and gracious power that God the Father exercised upon His Beloved Son – our blessed Savior – “when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places – far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion – and every name that is named – not only in this world, but also in that which is to come – and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church – which is His body – the fulness of Him that filleth all and in all!” Amen! Praise His Name! If it’s not all Christ – then it’s all wrong!
For Christ’s Glory Only! -John Carpenter
