by John Carpenter | Aug 15, 2016 | Ministry News
Our Open House Event was well received even though it was a hot, sultry day. Those that came got a front row seat to an actual camp afternoon and evening. We had the campers sing songs — quote their memory verses — and many of them gave testimonies. One little boy stepped up and thanked those that attended for supporting Del-Haven so he could come to camp for free! I promise you that no one put him up to doing that…it was of the Lord! We had a blessed time together.
The children sang songs from the week, quoted their memory verses, and gave testimonies about their week at camp.
Visitors got a chance to eat and visit with the campers.
by John Carpenter | Aug 15, 2016 | Devotional
“Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. (10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (11) Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…(14)For the love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that if One died for all, then were all dead; (15) and He died for all, that they which live should not, henceforth, live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them — and rose again!” [2Co.5:9-11;14-15]
It is a natural characteristic of having been quickened, or regenerated, by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God for the new “born-from-above” true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ to be eager and earnest — throughout this life — to desire to do something for the furtherance of the eternal Kingdom of Christ their Savior and Lord. This is what is being communicated to us from the Holy Spirit’s use of the word, labor, in the opening statement of our scripture that is referenced above. And, it becomes our ambition to be of service to Him in a way that is in full agreement and complete acceptance with that which the Word of God describes and declares concerning the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, our eternal Redeemer.
This scripture reference also states that it is inevitable that all of fallen mankind will eventually, and personally, appear before the judgment seat of Christ where we will justly receive from Him that which is justly due to us according to our life and the way that we have lived in this fallen and sinful body; “whether it be good or bad”. This means that we will experience being righteously judged for all the things we have thought; we have said; and, we have done. What a fearful and foreboding event that will be! It is no wonder that the Holy Spirit says: “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men!”
We put forth our most persuasive arguments from God’s Word — not for fallen and sinful men and women to convert themselves, or to make themselves, to be ready to appear before the judgment seat of Christ — for that is not something any of us can do for ourselves — no — we need the grace of the Savior for that accomplishment. But, it is the earnest desire of true godly ministers to convince fallen men that they are in an eternally dangerous state and condition as they continue to walk in their sinful ways that most certainly will lead them to no other place, but hell!
The true gospel ministers, that are yet in this world, are constrained, or literally controlled, by the love of Christ because they genuinely discern the truth of the efficacy of Christ’s sacrificial death as the only sovereign Savior substitute that there ever was, is, or ever will be. They see and understand that they which live by virtue of His death, “should not, henceforth, live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again!” Praise His all glorious and great Name!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jul 14, 2016 | Events, Ministry News
This month we have a special event planned that we hope you all will support with your attendance. On July 20th — during our fourth camp session — we plan to have a cook out time of fellowship for our friends and faithful supporters. It will be a first of its kind and will give you all a chance to actually participate in an actual camp event! We are doing this in place of an annual banquet. Please plan to be here at Camp Del-Haven from 5PM to 8PM and get in on the real camp experience. We promise you will be well fed and spiritually enriched! The event will take place in our Shelter House. We hope and pray you all can and will be here with us.
by John Carpenter | Jul 14, 2016 | Ministry News
Praises and Prayer Requests
Well, dear friends, our Lord has blessed us with two wonderful camps that have kicked off our 2016 season. This is a true answer to our prayers — both, yours and ours! That being said, however, let us continue to seek the Lord in earnest prayer the rest of the camp year. Please keep us before the throne of our sovereign Savior — staff and camper — that we may be effectually used by His Spirit in service to Him and for His glory.
We had a brief, but welcome, visit from our friends and family in Christ from Forest Grove Baptist Church. They brought us some food goods and supplies, as well as, some encouraging words and a short time of prayer for the ministry. We pray that the Lord will, in turn, richly bless them for their loving, faithful support.
by John Carpenter | Jul 14, 2016 | Devotional
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son: (14) In whom we have redemption through his blood — the forgiveness of sins… [Col.1:12-14]
From Mt.11:27 we have it taught directly from Christ Jesus that no man knows the Son, but the Father — and “neither knoweth any man the Father, but the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him”. Therefore, for us to be able to give thanks unto the Father, the Son of God must — first of all — reveal Him unto us! And, look at what this great text from Colossians 1 declares that this revelatory experience will give to us. It not only gives to us a knowledge of God the Father, but it also gives to us a knowledge of He who makes us (literally) qualified to be heirs along with all of the saints in light! This, dear ones, is but another way of saying, “For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves” (Eph.2:8).
Col.1:13 goes on to describe of God the Father as being the one “who has delivered (or, rescued) us from the power (or, the ruling authority) of darkness…”! Acts 26:18 tells us plainly that this ruling power of darkness is in truth the power of Satan! God the Father, Himself, intervenes on our behalf to reveal to us the saving, guiding “Light” of this world of darkness. We then are drawn by the Father (Jn.6:44) to come out of darkness to the Light — which is His Son — and from that time onward “we walk in the Light as He is in the Light” (1Jn.1:7) and we enter into a vibrant, living relationship of close fellowship with one another and “the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin”. Praise and glory to His great eternal Name!
In addition, Col.1:13 goes on to say of God the Father that He has (in Christ) delivered us from Satan’s darkness and ruling power over us — and “translated us into the Kingdom (literally) of the Son of His love”! We are transferred from the temporal kingdom of the devil and his darkness to the eternal Kingdom of Christ and His Light; out from being under the enslaving dominion of Satan, sin and death into the life transforming realization of Christ’s “wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1Co.1:30); from being under sin’s reigning influence to being under God the Son’s reign of love and grace.
Yes, we give our most heartfelt thanks unto God the Father for all of this because He has wrought it all for us through His beloved and eternal Son — our blessed and eternal Savior. And, praise to the Holy Spirit of God who personally bears witness unto us of all these wonderful things (Ro.8:16)! He it is that gives us the knowledge that in Jesus we do have “forgiveness of sins” (or, more lit., freedom from the penalty of our sins). Praise to the all glorious Savior!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
