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
by John Carpenter | Nov 6, 2018 | Camp News, Ministry News, Miscellaneous
Praises and Prayer Requests
Well, dear friends, our God continues to faithfully bear testimony unto us that He hears and answers our prayers. Some of the men from First Baptist Church of Oak Grove — whom the Lord sent to us to do the bulk of the excellent work on the renovation of our Restroom facilities and our Kitchen – came out and did some more work to dress up what they had started. So, God’s faithfulness is demonstrated through their doing what they said they were going to do! This is true integrity! Praise His Name! And, He displays this through His people. Marvelous! We love the way our Lord God does that! Thank you, Lord, for these dear friends and family in Christ. Please remember to pray for – and thank our Lord for – these faithful servants of His.
We are slated to get new skirting around the trailer home that Sheri DeShepper presently lives in. It has needed this work done on it for many years. Please pray for this much needed task to get accomplished without any problems. Thank you.
And, dear ones, since this is primarily a prayer reminder newsletter – once again, please remember to lift up before our covenant God — the young people who help us (and who will help us) on our staff. This is when we need to be seeking the Lord’s provision for 2019. We always need to fill some empty slots in our male and female helpers. We do love and appreciate all of you who so willingly and faithfully support this ministry in and with your continual prayers. We also are continually praying (and thanking God) for you.
In addition, of course, when you are praying for us – please do not forget to pray for all the boys and girls whom the Lord has sent (and will send) to us to minister the gospel of God’s grace. They desperately need our unceasing prayer support! As the Spirit of God so moves – please help us in this way. This is what it’s all about! We love you and thank you again.
by John Carpenter | Nov 6, 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]
What a truly grand statement of the word of the truth of the gospel of God’s great grace this portion of scripture proves to be! It more than merits yet another thoughtful consideration. Why? Because it descriptively declares the undeniable evidence of what Christ’s holy work – of His holy walk of life – in and through this unholy world – has eternally accomplished – for all those which have been placed in Him. The blessed holy work of the Triune Savior/God – works out – works in – and works through all those which this text declares are in Christ Jesus – a most wonderful eternally saving miracle. It is this work that has produced not only their eternal standing before Him – but their personal and individual walk through this sinful, fallen world. A walk following after the blessed Holy Spirit of God. What a wonderful gospel declaration!
Dear ones, this is the special spiritual experience that we should earnestly be praying to be made apparent – not only in and from our own lives – but also in and from the lives of each other. For this is the description of the vibrant and living relationship that the eternal Savior Son of God enters into with each one of His true believers. This is what being genuinely born from above produces in a sinner. They are daily – even hourly – being successfully and effectually led by His Holy Spirit – through this world of the “valley of the shadow of death” – all the way — into the heavenly bliss-filled reality of the Savior’s blessed eternal presence.
It is our “walk after” – or, according to – the Holy Spirit of Christ our God – that becomes the manifestation of our having been – by God’s grace alone – completely redeemed and remitted from the dreaded eternal, but just, condemnation of “the law of sin and death”. Which law — rules and reigns over our ever present – in this world — sinful flesh. Why is this true? Because we, by the grace of the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, walk anew — according to “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus”! It is this that brings to pass the reality of the living proof of the written statement of God from Ro.6:14, which says: “For sin shall not have dominion over you – for you are not under the law – but under grace!” And, its all because of the eternal accomplishment of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise His Holy Name!
This, in turn, is why the apostle is inspired by the Holy Spirit to explain unto us that which he does in vs.3-4> “For what the law [of sin and death] could not do – in that it is weak through the flesh [i.e. our sinful flesh] — God – sending His own Son – in the likeness of [our] sinful flesh – and – for sin, condemned sin in the flesh [i.e. His flesh] (4) that the righteousness of the law [of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus] might be fulfilled in us [who are in Christ, and] who [as a result of His Holy work] walk not after [or, according to] the flesh, but after [or, according to] the Spirit.”
There are even more distinguishing details delivered in Ro.8:5-13 that graphically demonstrate the striking difference between these two. It is these differences that serve to lend weight to the context of Ro.8:14: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God!” Amen.
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Oct 21, 2018 | Camp News
Praises and Prayer Requests
Well, dear friends and family in Christ, it truly is a beautiful Autumn time and season at Camp Del-Haven. The colors of the leaves are becoming magnificent! It is a wonderful testimony of the glory of our Lord. His handiwork is indeed marvelous to behold.
Another wonderful and marvelous testimony of our Lord’s presence and answer to prayer is how it has been going for Jeff Hall and family in their moving on to the Camp Del-Haven grounds.
While they still have quite a bit of work that absolutely needs to get done, they are officially moved into their new double wide mobile home. Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray for the leading of the Lord in meeting their needs and in giving them wisdom – as only He can do.
In your praying for Del-Haven – Please remember to lift up in prayer our staff regulars who are facing the every day spiritual onslaughts of an alluring and compromising world, as well as all the snares of the Wicked One. These young men and women need the preserving grace of our Savior God to keep them and establish them in His righteousness. In short, they need all our prayers to support them in their walk through this fallen world. Please don’t forget that we need 5 good male helpers for next summer. And, when you pray – Please do not forget to pray for all the campers that God has delivered to Del-Haven to hear the pure truth of the gospel of His grace! We sometimes have a camper only once – and then we never see them again. Many times, however, we have camper boys and girls that start coming to camp when they are six years old and we see them every year until their twelfth birthday. It is from this group that we often have – by God’s grace – harvested good staff help. They are well acquainted with the Del-Haven program for evangelization and spiritual growth. But, in every case – Prayer for their true Christian walk through this world is an absolute must! This is where your support is so very important! Please continue to keep us lifted up before Christ’s ruling throne of grace and glory as often as the Holy Spirit moves you. We love you and thank you for doing so. You are so very important to us!
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
