by John Carpenter | May 15, 2014 | Ministry News
Do not forget to lift up our front line warriors for the Lord — our staff. These servants are the ones who must face the rigors of the day in and day out ordeals — that can involve the most unexpected situations that a ministry such as this entails. Therefore, they need daily strength and encouragement that only Christ our Lord can provide. So, therefore, please pray for them without fail!
God bless you for your continual prayers and support. We love you all very much.
It is mind boggling to think that just one month from today — we will have already had our first Del-Haven camp of the 2014 season! It is only true saving faith that beholds that which cannot be seen with physical eyes — and that also tightly embraces all the promises of our almighty and sovereign Savior/God. And, truly, the ministry here at Del-Haven is a work — of the faith of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us. [Ga 2:20]
We still have room for more campers in our first session, June 16-19. So, if you know of any 6 to 8 yr. old boys, or girls — that would like to go to camp — then go to our website: www.campdelhaven.org and fill out an application right away! Please pray that the Lord sends to us the children whom He wills to hear the gospel of the glory of our Lord Jesus. It is this prayer that He has answered for us – now – for over six decades!
Preparations are being completed in order to make the camp ready for the season. We are so appreciative of all who have participated — and who are yet planning to participate — in this much needed labor. We could not do it without you all! Again, continue to pray with us that the Lord guide us — and provide for us — and protect us as we press on in service to His Kingdom — for His glory only!
by John Carpenter | May 15, 2014 | Devotional
“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief — but was strong in faith — giving glory to God — and being fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform — and, therefore, it was imputed to him for righteousness.”
This wonderful text from Ro.4:20-22 is written in reference to the faith experience of Abraham concerning the birth of his promised son, Isaac, by Sarah. And, anyone who knows the circumstances surrounding this incident realizes the impossible odds that were naturally against such a thing ever even happening. Why?– simply because Abraham was 100 years old — and his wife, Sarah, was 90! In fact, the scripture says that Sarah was passed the age of being able to have children. So, when it says that Abraham “staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief” — it is bearing testimony to a rather remarkable aspect in itself. For how could Abraham not doubt in the face of such obvious physical obstacles? After all — this is the same Abraham that just a few years earlier — when traveling with Sarah through Egypt — was so afraid that if Pharaoh knew that he was Sarah’s husband — that he would probably kill him so he could steal her for himself. So, what did this mighty man of faith do? He concocted a scheme to be disguised as his wife’s brother in order to have a better chance of staying out of harm’s way with the Pharaoh! Of course, our gracious and almighty God then intervened for Abraham and delivered him from the Egyptians. Nevertheless, there certainly was some serious “staggering” going on at this particular time in Abraham’s life!
Now — where our text is concerned — the physical aspects of the unlikelihood of being able to bear a firstborn son with his aged wife — were very much pronounced to say the least! But, as it says, even in the face of all the impossibilities he did not demonstrate any wavering unbelief. In fact, it says that he “(1) was strong in faith — (2) giving glory to God — (3) being fully persuaded — that what He had promised, He was able also to perform”. Oh, that we might exude these three Godly traits as well!
There were three miracles that occurred simultaneously around the birth of Isaac:
1. The actual birth of Isaac (which only God by His grace could have done)
2. The unshakable faith of Abraham that stood so strong through all the praying and waiting for the birth of Isaac to finally take place (again, performed by God)
3. Then there is the righteousness that through this whole faith experience that was, by God’s grace, imputed unto Abraham — making him totally acceptable with Him!
This is the miracle of the grace of faith, my friends! For it, alone, is this kind of faith — true saving faith — that is as un-natural to fallen human contrivance as it is for a barren, 90 year old woman to give birth to her first child! There can be no doubt about it — that the very faith that was so remarkably exercised from Abraham — in the face of such impossibilities — was the Col.2:12 kind of faith…“faith of the operation of God — who raised Him [I.e. Jesus] from the dead.
For Christ’s Glory Only,
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Apr 18, 2014 | Ministry News
Well we are coming up on our third Saturday workday. Things are gearing up in our preparation for the camp season. There is still plenty to get done — so, again, if you, or your group can lend us a hand — it will be greatly appreciated. Just let us know — if you can — that you’re coming — and when you’re coming. On Saturday’s we generally provide breakfast and lunch. People begin to show up around 8:00 AM and work till around 1:00 PM — but nothing is written in stone as far as this schedule is concerned.
If you, or your group want to help provide us with supplies, or things of that nature, just call us and get what we need. This sort of thing seems very fluid at this particular time. As we approach the month of June what is lacking will become much more obvious.
by John Carpenter | Apr 18, 2014 | Ministry News
As ever — we earnestly urge you to remember us in your prayers. Please be praying for our staff members — that the Lord will provide us with the maturity and leaders that we need — for both the boys and the girls. Pray for Sheri and Jeff our two major players where our staff is concerned. And, as always — be in earnest prayer for the children that are already applying for a position in our different camps. Pray that the Holy Spirit be preparing their hearts to hear and to respond to the presentation of the pure gospel truth of God’s Word. We love and thank you for being there in support of this ongoing evangelistic effort — all for Christ’s glory!
by John Carpenter | Apr 18, 2014 | Devotional
“Now the God of peace — that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus — that great shepherd of the sheep — through the blood of everlasting covenant…” He.13:20
This is the traditional time of year where it is common among professing Christians to meditate and focus upon the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, that great event is what sanctifies Him — and all of us who truly believe in Him — from all other religious systems and beliefs throughout the world! For any and all religions that follow some special man — no matter how great that they may make him out to be — none — absolutely none of them — ever truly and historically died and then was raised back to life as the Savior of all His loved and chosen followers.
This text not only declares this truth, but puts the greatness of this feat in perfect perspective. It may said to do this — through three points. First of all, it makes plain that our Savior and Lord was completely in league with almighty God. God — who is unto us who are His — a God of peace. Hence, it says that He — as the God of peace — brought again from the dead our Savior and Surety, the Lord Jesus. God did this great thing for Him — because He is His Son! Ro.6:4 says, “like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father”. Praise His Name!
Secondly, this text declares the Lord Jesus to be the great Shepherd of the sheep. This premise of the perspective is so important because it adds unto the equation eternal divine purpose. His purpose was the eternal salvation of His sheep! Jesus declared Himself — from Jn.10:11 — to be the “Good Shepherd” — which — “giveth Hid life for the sheep”. It is from here, also, that He announced the amazing truth: (14) “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (15) As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep!” And then the Lord Jesus said, (18) “No man taketh it from me — but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down — and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received from my Father.”
This last phrase gives us the: Third point that puts Christ’s resurrection into perfect perspective for us. For it declares that our Savior/substitute was under law to obediently do, and to have this done, unto the glory of God’s grace. This is the essence of the “Law of the Lord” — that is fulfilled “in the blood of the Everlasting Covenant”. It is this Law — that becomes the delight of true child of God (Ps.1:1-3). They meditate day and night on the fulfillment of this wonderful gospel truth!
Beloved, He.13:21 makes it clear that we — His sheep — are the recipients of the eternal blessings of Christ’s shed blood of the eternal covenant. For it says that through His resurrection — the God of peace will: “make you perfect in every good work to do His will — working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight — through Jesus Christ — to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen”
It is indeed our earnest prayer that each of you will have a wonderful time of worship in spirit and in truth this time of year. May your reflections upon the great resurrection of our Lord bring glory — only — upon Him.
-For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
