by John Carpenter | Nov 20, 2014 | Ministry News
Well, dear friends and family in Christ, we have arrived at the time of year for celebrating the union and communion of being a part of the America we have come to know and love. This, of course, is Thanksgiving Time. And, all of us from here at Camp Del-Haven want to lovingly wish all of you — our faithful prayer warriors and supporters — a very Happy Thanksgiving! We trust that you will be able to spend a holy blessed time of fellowship with friends and family – around a sumptuous meal – reflecting upon all the ways that God has born testimony to you of His presence and power in your lives. I can tell you for sure — that as we reflect upon these things in our lives — we will be thinking and thanking Him for all of you. You are each and every day, week, month and year — the Lord’s answer to our prayers! Thank you.
This ever present reality is often expressed during our camp season. For example here is another entry from this year’s camp season:
Little Kids Camp #2 — July 14-16 —
“We have 2 full cabins and one full dorm of boys. Chapel has gone really well. Most of the children seem really receptive to what Jeff and Sheri are teaching them. Jason is the most adorable kid I have ever seen (Layla is, too). Last night (Tuesday night) Jason was asking questions about God and being saved. It was great to answer some of his questions. We have been learning memory verses today (Ps.139:14) and it is a very hard one to teach because it is so long. It was hard for me to be patient with them because I knew the verse really well — so it taught me to be patient. There was one camper who didn’t know it very well so I said it with him for awhile so it was awesome to get to know him. At the campfire, I was sitting in between Jason and Nevaeh — and Nevaeh fell asleep on my shoulder. It was so precious. I will miss everyone so much! I’m realizing how this week is the product of so much prayer! It’s such a blessing! Isaac R.
Please remember to lift up Isaac before our Lord — for His ever present protective, providing and guiding grace and power over his life. He has been (and we continually pray that he will be yet again) such a valuable spiritual asset to us. Thank you, Lord! And, of course, along with him — please continue to pray for youngsters like Jason and Layla. They are just two examples of all the children that the Lord sees fit to send out here and into the hearing of His great and precious gospel — with its life transforming power. This is what is being accomplished through all of your faithful, prayerful support of Camp Del-Haven.
I thought I would be able to report to you concerning a much needed new roof on our dining hall patio, but that task has not yet been done. Please pray that the Lord will see this task through to its completion. We are so dependent upon Him for virtually everything! But, that’s alright — He is so very dependable and reliable!
by John Carpenter | Nov 20, 2014 | Devotional
“The Lord God omnipotent reigns” Re.19:6
“But our God is in the heavens — He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.” Ps.115:3
“Whatsoever the Lord pleased — this did He in heaven and in earth.” Ps.135:6
“…the most High rules in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will —
and sets up over it — the basest of men.” Da.4:17b
Here are four places from God’s Word that declare clearly and plainly His sovereign rule and control over all the circumstances of mankind — in both eternity and time. He, and He, alone — reigns. Is.57:15 declares: “For thus saith the high and lofty One — that inhabiteth eternity — whose name is Holy…” So, we see that it is from eternity that He reigns. Time — as we know it — does not even exist in His house. Time — as we know it — is but temporary. There is nothing that is temporary in eternity. Perhaps the closest we can come to comprehending eternity is — to think of it as one continual present reality. This underscores the marvelous truth of Ps.46:1: “God is our refuge and strength — a very present help in trouble.” A truly wonderful way to realize your every day personal relationship with the eternal almighty God.
Not only is our Lord sovereign and in control over all that happens in our temporary earthly life and times — individually — but He is, also, sovereign and in control over us on a national basis. He, indeed, has everything already worked out according to His sovereign will and good pleasure. He has done whatsoever He has pleased — in both heaven and in earth! To us there is seeming chaos all around us — but as far as our great God is concerned — whatever happens — is in complete accordance with His perfectly orchestrated eternal purpose and plan. Nothing takes Him by surprise where this world is concerned. In fact, it is just the other way around — this world is always taken by surprise by the sudden evidence of God’s presence and power being completely worked out according to His purpose and grace. All of the generations of fallen humanity are included in the accomplishment of His purpose — and all of His chosen in Christ from before the foundation of this world are included in the accomplishment of His grace [Ep.1:4]. Praise His Name!
World leadership undergoes its changes in accordance to the designated means of its individual national governments — but God is the one in ultimate control of all the nations within the age of temporary time (the age of sin and death). He is the One who determines the ups and downs of both leaders and nations. Where we who are His true children are concerned — wherever we may be on the governmental platform of this world — that platform provides for us a stage before both time and eternity whereby we may bear a testimony of our true personal allegiance to our heavenly Father through His eternal Holy Spirit and His eternal Son — our eternal Savior — the Lord Jesus Christ! Whatever part we can play in the appointment of the temporary powers we are made subject to –by His sovereign rule and authority over us — this is where we can make known to the world He, in whom, we really do trust!
-For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
“Amen: Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might
– be unto our God — forever and ever. Amen” Re.7:12
by John Carpenter | Oct 18, 2014 | Ministry News
It is a great time to reflect upon the many God given testimonies of this year’s ministry. For example, an unsigned entry in our camp journal for July, 2014 relates:
“We had 3 cabins full of girls this week at camp. About half were new campers and half had been campers in the past. I was so glad to see how attentive they were in each Bible class. One girl, Abigail, came up to me after each Bible class to ask me questions. It was obvious that she was really thinking about the things we were learning out here. This was her second year as a camper. I pray that the Lord will continue to put her in places to hear His word and that He will send people into her life to help mature the seed planted. May the Spirit quicken her to new life in Christ. This was such a good week and I’m so thankful to the Lord for sending out this staff of girls. I love how they have displayed kindness and the love of Christ toward the campers this week. I enjoyed our morning devotions and prayer time each morning before we woke the campers for the day. I pray that the Lord will continue to draw these young ladies to Himself — teach them through His Word — and strengthen them for the service for the Kingdom of God for which He has purposed them — whether it is now, here, at Del-Haven, or in the future. Thank you, Lord for your continued mercy and grace.”
This is another blessed entry into the historical records of what the Lord is doing with all of your precious prayers and support of this ministry. Thank you. We love you. Please continue to bear our burdens up before our loving and providing God.
by John Carpenter | Oct 18, 2014 | Ministry News
Prayer Requests
This is, indeed, the off season where our camps are concerned — however, there are still many things that we need to do, both, to prepare for this winter — and the next camp year as well. As mentioned in our last newsletter, we need major repairs done on our Dining Hall roof over the enclosed patio. They are scheduled to be done — and the expense is going to be just over 1,000 dollars to do it. Please remember to pray with us concerning the meeting of this additional expense.
Winter cold is always an issue where our buildings are concerned — and that requires propane to maintain the heating of them. We filled our tanks (which took 820 gal.) while the propane rate was down, but the bill we are faced with is $1344.
Please pray with us in regards to this need as well. These are nothing but oppressive worldly trials — that are only temporary. Our great God is a great provider!
by John Carpenter | Oct 18, 2014 | Devotional
“For there is one God — and one Mediator — between God and men — the man Christ Jesus; (6) who gave Himself a ransom for all — to be testified in due time.” “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood — He also Himself, likewise, took part of the same — that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death — that is, the devil; (15) and deliver them who — through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (16) For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels — but He took on Him the seed of Abraham.” 1Ti.2:5-6; He.2:14-16
The first text of our chosen devotional scripture comes right off the sacred page from the greater context that leads up to — and that follows immediately after it. It is a statement of factual conclusion that is arrived at by virtue of a previous premise that is so plainly and clearly laid down from vs.3-4 : “For this is good and acceptable — in the sight of God, our Savior — who will have all men to be saved — and come unto the knowledge of the truth”. These two verses are also given as a conclusion that pertains to why the Holy Spirit through the apostle exhorts, or encourages, us to pray for all ranks of men in authority over us in this world so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life (vs.1-2). The reason being that we are to pray for them that rule over us — is simply because our sovereign God has even some of them among His eternally elect unto salvation! And, as is the case with all His saved ones, they, too, if saved, will be led unto a full knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus (Eph.4:21).
And, what is the substance of the truth that we all by God’s will and grace through the leading of the Holy Spirit will of a certainty come to truly believe? It is the truth that concerns specifically the Lord Jesus Christ being the one and only God/man and Mediator between us saved sinners and God. Praise His Name! You see — it is Him and Him alone — who has been, from eternity, incarnated into the human race as eternal God‘s, only begotten and beloved Son and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!
The Hebrews text, above, declares descriptively the details of this wonderful truth. To save all who are among His chosen children — throughout our fallen into sin human history — He was sent into our world to die; and through His death He perfectly accomplished two things. He destroyed the person and work of the devil — and He delivered us from our sin and Satan’s control over us! Bless the Lord God!
He did this grand work of eternally saving us — by becoming a partaker of flesh and blood — just like us — and being the promised “seed” of Ge.3:15. This singular Seed was prophetically confirmed to be incarnated – in the promised “Seed of Abraham” – concerning whom the Holy Spirit through the apostle John wrote when he declared: “For this purpose — the Son of God was manifested (or, revealed) — that He might destroy (or, lit., undo) — the works of the devil!” 1Jn.3:8 Let us rejoice together in our Lord as we reflect upon the full knowledge of this glorious gospel truth (Ac.13:33; 2Jn.3).
– For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
