by John Carpenter | Apr 28, 2016 | Devotional
“…that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…” “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit — the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” [Phil.3:10; Col.3:1-2; Ro.8:5-6]
ce the world celebrated Christ’s Resurrection Day at the end of March this year, I want to give it specific acknowledgement here in April. And, what we see from our chosen texts actually demonstrates that through the resurrection of our wonderful Lord we for whom Christ died become the recipients of His eternally gracious blessings throughout our entire walk through this sinful fallen world!
First of all, the Philippian text declares that learning to know Christ is tantamount to both: getting to know the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. This reflects Eph.1:19-20 which describes…what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward 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 the heavenly places…”. So, we owe the genuineness of our faith and of our true believing in the Lord Jesus Christ to His true and real resurrection from the dead as well as His ascension back into heavenly glory! In fact, we who are truly His have been spiritually quickened and “raised up together, (with Him) and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” [Eph.2:6] How wonderful is that!?
The Col.3 text, also, descriptively puts all the true children of God with Christ in His resurrection and His ascension. It poses a rather rhetorical question about that fact that includes the way the child of God should think while they are still here in this sinful and fallen world. It suggests that if we have been risen with Christ, we, therefore, should (lit.) set our minds on things above where He is and from where He rules! He is seated there on His sovereign throne of ruling authority over us and over all things! Think about that! Meditate on that almighty and victorious reality!
The Rom.8 text goes another step further with this and declares that this way of spiritually thinking is critical to our being a true child of God. It is even a common way of thinking among all who have truly been made alive in, and by, the Spirit of Christ! One is either in the flesh, or in the Spirit. If one is in the flesh, then they are spiritually dead; if they are in the Spirit, then they are spiritually alive and in a position of peace with God. This is because the mind of the flesh is enmity with God and not subject to the law of God and neither, indeed, can it be! However, the mind of the Spirit is the mind of Christ, our Substitute, and because of His eternally accomplished and completely finished atonement — He has wrought peace with God for us.
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Mar 17, 2016 | Ministry News
Prayer Requests
We have made contact with a nearby Christian horse ranch who are considering opening up a wonderful addition for our camps (especially for our older boys and girls camps). Please be in prayer for this possible expansion in our camp program.
Please continue to lift up our campers and our staff in your prayers for us. This truly is the only sure way for victory to be realized where the work of the Lord is concerned. Also, in our praying we should remember the state and condition of our nation and those that have worldly rule over us.
As always, dear friends, we love you for all your prayers and gifts. Our Lord God has united us together in the midst of this battle for precious souls for their eternal salvation unto His eternal glory!
by John Carpenter | Mar 17, 2016 | Ministry News
Come Visit Us This Summer
-Open House-
Last month we published our summer camp schedule, and in lieu of an annual Del-Haven Friendship Banquet, this year we would like to have an open house cookout during one of our camp sessions so you can see what actually goes on during camp. Please pray with us where this is concerned. We are thinking of targeting our camp session no. 4 and in particular Wed. July 20th. We will give you more details as we continue to develop this idea. We would love to get your feedback concerning this as we are trying to open up a way for you all to get an even closer look at the ministry that our Lord has created out here at Del-Haven. This has never really been done before. What do you think about it? Give us a call: 816-690-8465 or 277-7071.
by John Carpenter | Mar 17, 2016 | Ministry News
Needs
As we venture into our 64th summer of ministry, we are thankful to see that God continues to sustain us in His work. Each Spring we do a walk-though of the campground and make lists of needed work, repairs, and replacements. And, each year we notice more and more how much our buildings and maintenance equipment are showing their use and age. Our current budget, based on donations, does not leave much, if any, room for many of the needed building repairs and replacement of equipment. It is important to us to not only be able to meet all of the monthly financial obligations we incur, but to also be able to provide nice/safe facilities and grounds for our campers. Financial donations are always welcome to help with these extra Spring work projects. Of course, there are also other items that are always in need:
Bleach Dish Soap Dishwasher Soap Laundry Soap
Lg. Trash Bags Sm. Trash Bags Toilet Cleaner Window Cleaner
Furniture Polish Shower Curtains Rakes Brooms
Mops Floor Cleaner Fishing Equip. Weed Killer
by John Carpenter | Mar 17, 2016 | Ministry News
2016 Saturday Work Days
Well, dear ones, in another month we begin our weekly Saturday work days in preparing the campgrounds for our schedule of camps. Please look at the calendar and see if there’s a particular weekend that you, or your group, might be available to come out and help us. Our Saturday work days have become noted for great times of spiritual enrichment and fellowship, as well as a wonderful means to get necessary tasks completed for our camping season. We will provide breakfast and lunch and most of the necessary tools for tackling and completing the jobs. Please pray about these necessary things as we should seek guidance from God in all we do.
