by John Carpenter | Sep 15, 2024 | Devotional
“And Moses said unto the people, fear ye not! Stand still – and see the salvation of the Lord – which He will show to you today! For the Egyptians whom ye have seen today – ye shall see them again – no more forever! (14) The Lord shall fight for you – and ye shall hold your peace” (Ex.14:13-14).
“When I cry unto thee – then shall mine enemies turn back – this I know – for God is for me!… In God have I put my trust. I will not fear what man can do unto me… For thou hast delivered my soul from death – wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling – that I may walk before God in the Light of the Living?” (Ps.56:9,11,13).
All of us who have been quickened and awakened by the Holy Spirit – and the pure Truth of the Word of God – in regards to the eternally redeeming person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ – have become aware of the reality – of the Spiritual Warfare – that has been and still is raging all around us – at all times. If this reality is not being revealed unto us – then it – most likely must be true that – our spiritual quickening and awakening – is still needing to be fulfilled.
When the apostle Paul had his life-changing experience with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6) – little did he realize that his whole life in this world would immediately be changed! After the Lord Jesus came and got him – nothing was ever the same! All that he had learned through his education as a church-going Pharisee – by his own admission (see Phil.3:7-10) became of no value to his saving relationship with the Lord Jesus. Suddenly – the completed work of Christ (as his Kinsman Redeemer) was revealed unto him – and from that moment on – Jesus – became his “all and in all” (Col.3:11). From that moment on – the real spiritual battles that surrounded him on every side – became the focus of his whole world.
This is what is depicted throughout the whole Bible – for ALL of God’s eternally saved ones!
Note the context of the first scripture above from Ex.14:13. The children of Israel had been sur-viving in Egypt for 400 years! Their whole lives in this world was becoming a generational heritage of bond-slavery to the Egyptians! They cried out to God for their deliverance from their oppression until the burning flame of all their hopes had become barely glowing embers. And this was the very providence of Moses – whom God raised up and sent to them – to lead them to victory and freedom from their enemies.
Dear ones, this is a picture of all of God’s people in every generation of this sinful world! Yes! This is a picture of us in this world right NOW! Like the Israelites – with the impossible depths of the Red Sea in front of them – and destruction and death from their enemies right behind them – their whole world looked like a disaster to say the least. But God – will always come through for His true children! Praise His Wonderful Name! Let us call unto Him – who has been and still is OUR wonderful Savior! Read the whole context of both Ex.14 and Ps.56.
The same Savior that Moses called on to do – what only He could do – is whom we call on today! All glory to God! This is the grand realization that is gifted to us when we read and study the Word of God. He communicates to us this same meaning and message of His Salvation. Note how God caused Moses to tell them to stop looking behind them – and move forward (see Phil.3:14). He told them – not to fear – but to “stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord”. And, how great it will be when our Lord will tell us, “The enemies we see today, we will see them no more forever.” — John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Sep 15, 2024 | Camp News
The first thing I want to personally express is my thanks to my heavenly Father for all of you who have prayed for me – and my recovery from being in the hospital for nine days and out of commission physically for practically all of July and half of August. It’s not even clear just what exactly happened to me – symptoms seemed to indicate a urinary tract infection, however, I never experienced the typical burning sensation that generally goes along with that. Then a test result came back that indicated that I had a tick borne illness. At any rate, my malady kept me out of normal camp activities and on your prayer lists…and I seem to be getting back to my usual level of healthy energy. Praise the Lord!
We wanted to share a very sweet letter that my wife, Theresa received from a little girl that was scheduled to come out with her family once again this year. Here name is Marah, and this is what she wrote:
Dear Mrs. Theresa,
It’s me, Marah. I went to camp 2 years ago. We miss going to camp this year, anyway, I hope your family gets better. The Lord is keeping you guys in His hands and watching over you. I pray He heals everyone that is sick or hurt.
Sincerely, Marah
Is this not a spontaneous and insightful and sweet message to be coming from an 8 year old little girl? At the top of this page is a photo taken of Marah (on the right) from last year when she was out here for a Family Day At Camp. Let’s keep little Marah (and her whole family) in our prayers. It is so wonderful that our sovereign Lord allows us to receive these little indications that He is still leading and blessing His work here at Del-Haven. Praise the Almighty Sovereign Savior!!
We thank Him for all of you who continue to prayerfully support the ministry here – especially in these extremely inflated economical times. We must not forget that our God is in control and He will never forsake us! Please continue to pray for us in regards to building another staff – and we will continue to pray for you. We love you. — John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jun 20, 2024 | Devotional
Praise ye the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! (2) While I live — will I praise the Lord – I will sing praises unto my God — while I have my being. (3)Put not your trust in princes – nor in the son of man — in whom there is no help. (4) His breath goeth forth — he returneth to his earth (or, dust). In that very day his thoughts perish. (5) Happy (or, Blessed) is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help – whose hope is in the Lord his God! (6) Which made heaven – and earth – the sea – and all that therein is; which keepeth Truth for ever! (7) Which executeth judgment for the oppressed – which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners (of Satan, Sin and the World)! (8) The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind – the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down – the Lord loveth the righteous (9) the Lord preserveth the strangers — He relieveth the fatherless and widow – but the way of the wicked – He turneth upside down! (10) The Lord shall reign for ever – even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations! Praise ye the Lord!” [Ps.146]
This Psalm speaks to – and about – all the individuals who have trusted in the eternal person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ – as being their own personal Savior and God – even while they are still in this fallen world of sin, death and Satanic adversity. This is a Psalm of very great encouragement unto – especially – them!
If you are among the eternally saved – by the Lord – Rejoice! And shout, “Hallelujah!” That’s the Word that means: “Praise the Lord”! This Psalm begins and ends with this word.
If you’re not sure that you are – right now – another one that is among those who know that they are one of God’s saved ones – by the Lord Jesus Christ (see: 1Jn.5:11-13) then call out to Him (see: Rom.10:13-17) and beg Him to let you know that you – indeed – are one of His saved ones. Rom.8:16 – which is in God’s very Word, tells us that His Spirit bears witness – or communicates with our spirit – that we are – indeed — His saved-by-grace sinner/children! And, that means that we are “heirs of God and joint-heirs” with Christ (our eternal Savior). So, if you’re not sure you’re one of His – call out to Him – to let you know – and believe – and understand that you truly are!!
This Psalm describes the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ – and how He reigns over all the sinner/children that God the Father has given unto Him – to save! Put your trust in Him – and not in anyone or anything else. He will manifest Himself unto you in your present circumstances and He will rescue you from Satan – sin – this adverse world, et. al. And He will guide your steps all the way – from here – unto where you know that you really want to someday go – Heaven!
And, take note of what is underlined in verse 9> “The way of the wicked – He turneth upside down!” This is especially comforting when you consider and understand our present adverse reality of being under our present government! Even — it – is ultimately under the Lord’s sovereign control. Yes, in spite of these present trials – everything that is declared by God – about God – where we, His children, are concerned – will be realized! Praise His Name!
In short, this Psalm describes the Providence of God for all His saved-by-grace loved ones! [Providence is defined as being: Divine guidance, or care; God conceived power – maintaining and guiding human destiny]. We all have our own individual, personal and peculiar providence while we are living in this world. Yet all who are God’s – all who belong to Him – all who make up the people of His own peculiar possession (1Pe.2:9-10) – who are among all those whom He has planted in this world (see: Mat.13:24-43) – these will all experience the regenerating reality of living here — in a daily walk and relationship with the Lord Jesus that is filled with all the good things of Ps.146:5-9. Hallelujah! Amen. — John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jun 20, 2024 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, our Lord continues to faithfully manifest His Divine Presence and sustenance of Del-Haven. This is in spite of the fact that we have never seen such an oppressive and inflated economical environment as we have – right now! But, the Lord still hears and answers our prayers – Praise His Name! Through your prayers and gifts – He has met our monthly needs.
When we got our pool prepared to reopen – we discovered a mechanical problem with our pool filter. Jeff was able to determine what was needed and the Lord provided the necessary funds so that we could purchase the parts that needed to be replaced. Hence, Praise the Lord, Jeff was able to get that task done. This delayed the time for us to be able to have families scheduled to come out to the camp. The hot days we are already experiencing demand that we have a swimming pool! Please be in prayer for us – that the Lord will continue to provide and to guide us – as only He can do.
Jeff sent out an email to the camper families that we have on file for them to begin to pick a Family Day — beginning with the week of June 24th. We plan to make ourselves available for them up through August 9th. The lake is looking real good and we are making progress with cleaning up the campground. The rains and stormy winds have taken their toll on the trees and the like – please pray that our chainsaws, weed eaters and mowers will not break down. The Word of God says for us to “cast all our care on Him – because He cares for us” – so that is what we constantly are doing! Isn’t He Wonderful! (Hey – that’s a wonderful camp chorus!)
Please also remember to be praying that the Lord will lead to us (or us to them) five male and five female staff helpers so that we can once again put together some regular camp sessions. We want what He wants – nothing more and nothing less. Pray with us concerning the family group responses that we receive for this year – that those who come out will be blessed by the Lord with ears to hear and eyes to see (see: Pr.20:12) and hearts to receive and believe the pure truth of the gospel of the glory – only — of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As always – we want you to know how much we love you all – for your continued and faithful and prayerful support of this ministry. We thank our Lord God for you!
“The Lord is Righteous in all His ways, and Holy
in all His Works. The Lord is nigh unto all that
call upon Him – to all that call upon Him in Truth.”
Ps.145:17-18
by John Carpenter | May 22, 2024 | Devotional
(17) “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ – the Father of glory – may give 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 the glory of His 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 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(!);(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.1:17-23]
This is the capstone text to what was presented last month titled as – “Celebrating Our Lord’s Resurrection”. The context of this very section of holy scripture is what the apostle Paul declares as being that which – he specifically prays for – where the Ephesian believers are concerned. Paul supplicates God – the Father of glory – to graciously give unto them – the Holy Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in (lit.) the “Full Knowledge” of the Lord Jesus Christ! (see: 1Ti.2:3-4) Who has quickened and opened the eyes of their spiritual understanding – enlightening them to know what is the Hope of His Holy calling into their eternal salvation! All of this constitutes – the riches of the glory of His inheritance of grace in all of His saints. Praise His Name! And this – he is inspired to declare – is the exceeding greatness of His Power unto all of us – who truly and genuinely – Savingly Believe in Him!
In fact, what is revealed here is also – the profound truth that – it is He who owns and bestows upon all His eternally saved ones – the Power to Repent and Believe on Christ! Repenting and Believing on our Lord Jesus Christ – is Not an exercise that we are capable of performing! No! That, too, all comes from God – alone! And, this wonderful text declares it to have all been completely worked out by God – for us – when – by the glory of God the Father – He raised up Christ Jesus from among the dead! (see: Ro.6:4) The same Omnipotent Power – that God the Father wrought upon His Son – our Substitute/Savior – when He gloriously raised Him up from being among the dead – and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places – that same almighty Power – is what He blesses us with – in order to cause us to truly Believe in His Savior Son – so as to be Eternally Saved-by-His grace! All praise unto the wonderful Word of His Grace!
This is why the apostle Paul was inspired to write unto the Galatians – in Ga.2:16 – these words: “knowing that a man is not justified – (lit.) out of performing – the works of the law – but through the Faith of Jesus Christ – even we (the apostles) have believed into Jesus Christ – that we might be justified – out of the faith of Christ – and not out of the works of the law…”!
Hence – does Paul go on to inspiringly explain in no uncertain terms – what he says from vs.20:
“I have been crucified – with Christ – nevertheless I live (here again, is a reference to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus) yet not I – but Christ – liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh – I live (lit.) In the faith of the Son of God – who loved me and gave Himself for me!”
Gal.3:26 dogmatically declares: “For ye are all the children of God (lit.) through faith in Christ Jesus!” Let us praise and glorify Him…Forever!!
— John Carpenter
