by John Carpenter | Feb 17, 2016 | Devotional
“Thus saith the Lord God: I will yet be inquired of by the house of Israel — to do it for them. …And they shall know that I am the Lord!” [Ez.36:37-38]
This text describes and articulates a definite immutable divine principle of saving grace that proves just exactly who are the true praying children of God in this fallen and sinful world. Here is a spiritual principle that declares the truth that true Holy Spirit led prayer always accomplishes God’s will, but never changes it. There is a foreboding misconception that has been propagated that prayer changes things — and it doesn’t. It accomplishes things! Jas.5:16 states it plain and clear, that: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man — availeth [or, accomplishes] much.”
When God moves His eternally loved and chosen ones to seek Him in prayer, He summons them by His Holy Spirit into His holy presence. They come before His sovereign overruling throne of grace where He allows them to take part in His fulfilling what He has eternally purposed to do and perform by His children’s prayers. If indeed anything is notably changed by their prayers — it is the child of God, himself, through whom the Holy Spirit causes the prayer to be uttered. The immediate providential things that make up our circumstances are going play out exactly as they are supposed to — all in accordance with the sovereign plan of God. It is our immediate circumstances that make up the unfolding reality of almighty God’s immutable (unchangeable) will. Praise His all glorious and mighty Name!
The main thing we should remember in the light of this principle of grace is that it is all important in the life and walk of a true child of God through this fallen world to do as the Word of God commands to do when it says to: “Pray without ceasing!” For to do (and be) what the will of God wants cannot be accomplished without Holy Spirit led prayer. Lk.18:1 says: “Men ought always to pray and not to faint!” A life and walk through this sinful, fallen world that is saturated with prayer, is saturated with life converting and transforming enabling grace.
After Saul of Tarsus had his life transforming Damascus road encounter and divine reckoning with the Lord Jesus Christ, Ananias was commissioned by the Holy Spirit to go to him. The Lord assured him that it was safe for him to go because He told him: “For behold he prayeth!” It is spiritually born from above into the very fabric of the regenerated character of the true believing sinner to know themselves to be so hopelessly helpless in themselves that they naturally become – in and through this world – ardent, earnest prayer warriors before Christ’s throne of sovereign over-ruling grace. This is what the Holy Spirit makes them to be to the glory, only, of almighty God! The child of God continually comes up against impossible opposition in this age of sin and Satan and death and they prayerfully, through Christ, prevail as champions and victors! And, they gladly give all the glory unto Him who called them out of this world’s darkness into His marvelous light. Praise His holy Name!
-For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Feb 9, 2016 | Ministry News
The 2016 Volunteer Applications and Camper Applications can be found by selecting the [Camp] tab at the top of the page.
by John Carpenter | Jan 18, 2016 | Ministry News
Here is yet another very touching journal entry from last summer by Kendle:
2nd Boys and Girls week 2015
Jason, Amelia, Kenny, Hylee, Aiden, Royal, Amelia A., Ava, Montae…names of a few kids here this week. I love seeing kids like Jason come back year after year, growing in maturity, learning to love Jesus and His Word; excited for Bible Study, ready to memorize God’s Word. The kids — needing instruction in loving each other the right way and turning from sin. That’s all important. Some have never known their parents since they’ve been in jail — since the kid was born; or, others feel the loss of a parent by murder. All need to see Christ’s mercy and grace in their own lives so they can be saved and practice mercy towards others. Guide them to your Word with understanding. Teach them to pray to you as their greatest need and friend. Show them life eternal, and “who are His”. Keep them safe and grow them in their relationship with you. Thank you, Lord, for Camp Del-Haven! It is near the most dearest place on earth to me. So many wonderful years out here and I will never forget all I’ve learned and all I’ve loved here. Bless Del-Haven, Lord. Kendle
by John Carpenter | Jan 18, 2016 | Ministry News
Well, dear ones, 2016 is now under way and we already sense and see that this carnal world is poised to be much more oppressively against us as we press on in the ministry of the gospel of the glory, only, of God’s grace through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please be in earnest prayer with us that He continue to lead us according to His perfect will and wisdom in protecting, providing and preserving us.
By His amazing and enabling grace we will persevere in fighting the good fight of faith out here at Camp Del-Haven. It can, at times, seem to be overwhelming, but by Christ’s strength — and your faithful, prayerful support — we can with confidence continue to bravely face the foe — and this — all for Christ’s glory only.
Oh yes, while you’re praying for us — be in earnest prayer for our country as well! We desperately need a quickening from God the Holy Spirit upon our whole land!
I recently received word that on the evening of Oct.15 — our dear friend and faithful supporter, Florine McClain, was welcomed and received into the loving presence of our Lord. Her family informed me that her final moments came with family at her bed side. They told me that she was in a “comfort sleep” when — as they put it: “Mom took her last breath with a slight giggle, smiled, and lifted her arms toward heaven. All of her children and several grandchildren were at her bedside to witness this incredible moment. It was bittersweet; but none of us will ever forget that experience as she left us to join her heavenly Father and be reunited with Dad in heaven.” Dear friends, Florine’s final testimony proves how grand it is to know the Lord Jesus — and to be known by Him throughout this life! I can’t imagine traversing through this sinful fallen world without Christ being with me — keeping me — encouraging me — ever drawing me into His presence! Praise His Name!
by John Carpenter | Jan 18, 2016 | Devotional
“When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back!
This I know — for God is for me.” [Ps.56:9]
The beginning of a New Year is always a time for sinful fallen human beings to make (and ultimately to break) resolutions. They feel that if they can keep them, they will make themselves better people so that they can live healthier and happier lives. The Word of God is filled with descriptive principles that provide a simple truthful way to measure (even in this fallen world) the character and behavior of those who are saved and of those who are lost. For the saved ones these descriptive principles become, rather than resources for failing fallen human efforts to make and try to keep resolutions for human improvement — but reasons for seeking from God in prayer, through His Word, His enabling, converting and life transforming grace. It is God’s grace that is needed in order for any fallen sinner to become a Holy Spirit living scriptural description of one of His eternally loved and chosen saved ones in this fallen world. Jesus said, “The flesh profits nothing! It is the Spirit that quickens. The words that I speak unto you — they are Spirit and they are life.” [John 6:63]
The above phrase of Psalm 56 is a descriptive of every truly saved one that is alive in this fallen world. Ro.10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord — shall be saved.” And, Ps.56:9 declares: “When I cry (or, call) unto thee — then shall mine enemies turn back! This I know for God is with me.” The saved one calls unto the Lord — and He hears and rescues him. Among other things, this text is a great assurance unto all of God’s people that when they are led to cry out to Him — then all their enemies shall turn back from them. What a comfort it is to know that this is the way that it is! And, if anyone imagines that the motivation to cry out to the Lord is all their own idea, then let me refer you to Ro.7:18: “For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me — but how to perform that which is good, I find not!” There are many in this fallen world the seem to trust in — and put their hope in — their own will to succeed, but all of God’s true children are led of Holy Spirit to put all their trust and hope in Him — and Him alone!
All too often — way too much credit is put on the seeming personal power that is resident in our flesh. Another very important scriptural truth that describes only the eternally loved and chosen saved one is found in that which is taught from Ro.2:28-29, “For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” And, Phil.3:3> “For we are the circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh!” We grow in grace to realize that when we are faced with the threat of an enemy we know that, “with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord God to help us and to fight our battles…” [2Chronicals 32:8]
For Christ’s Glory Only!
-John Carpenter
