by John Carpenter | Dec 16, 2013 | Devotional
“And I will put enmity between thee — and (lit.) between the woman — and between thy seed — and (lit.) between her seed! He shall bruise thy head — and thou shalt bruise His heel.” Ge.3:15
“Therefore, the Lord, Himself, shall give you a sign — the virgin shall conceive — and bear a Son — and shall call His name — Immanuel!” Is.7:14
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise — (lit.) For as His mother, Mary, was espoused to Joseph — before they came together — she was found with child of the Holy Ghost!” Mt.1:18
“Now all this was done — that it might be fulfilled which was spoken (lit.) by the Lord through the prophet, saying: (23) ‘Behold — a virgin shall be with child — and shall bring forth a Son — and they shall call His name, Immanuel!’ Which being interpreted is: God with us.” Mt.1:22-23
What is it — really — that true believing Christians celebrate at this time of year? The true celebration of Christmas — is a celebration of the history of the eternal reality of the incarnation into the fallen human race — of the eternal Son and Christ of God! It is a celebration of the divine and loving provision of God — of an eternal propitiation and substitute — for all of His lost and sinful children! And, only a loving and gracious God could make such a provision.
The elect and holy angels of God appeared — or, revealed — themselves unto the shepherds and were heard by them to declare: “Glory to God in the highest — and on earth — Peace — good will toward [Or, lit., “in and among”] men.” Lk.2:14
They declared on this trial ridden, tumultuous earth — peace — because He who is called the “Prince of peace” Is.9:6 had finally arrived. He had arrived to ultimately fulfill the eternal purpose and decree of God to provide — through His life and death and resurrection — everlasting peace — between God and all those that He has loved and saved throughout the history of fallen humanity!
There is no peace in this world. Jesus said that in this world we will have trial and tribulation. But, there is an eternally accomplished peace — in Christ — the one and only God/man! A peace that transcends time and eternally exists between holy God and all those that intimately are a part of that which the Bible refers to as His Bride — His Building — His true Church! Praise His Name!
We celebrate the birth of Christ — even because we who are saved realize the He, Jesus, is our peace! Eph.2:14 He, by Himself, as our eternal Savior and Surety — has eternally secured a completely wrought out standing of peace with God — for us.
He brought with His coming a loving reconciliation with God — so that nothing but God’s good will would be realized in and among us — to the glory of His great grace.
May all of us here at Del-Haven wish all of you who receive and read this newsletter — a very wonderful and joyous Christmas celebration!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Nov 20, 2013 | Ministry News
This summer many children stepped foot on the campground and heard about the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. They attended Bible classes, sang Christian hymns and choruses, learned memory verses, and had personal conversations with the camp staff about the desolate condition of a sinner and their great need for the Savior. For many of these children it was the first time hearing the Good News of the Gospel, and for many of the children it was the first time they ever uttered a prayer, even if it was just to thank the Lord for our meal. It is our earnest prayer that this Christmas season will be more meaningful to them, and that they will remember the things they have learned about the Savior as we celebrate His birth. Many of you picked up prayer bookmarks at our banquet with the name of a child who attended camp. If you would like to write a Christmas message to the child you are praying for, we would like to put it in their Christmas letter this year. If you were not able to pick up a prayer bookmark but would still like to send a Christmas message to a camper to let them know that they are cared for and someone is praying for them, please feel free to still send a note or a card. We will in response send you the child’s name who received the Christmas message so you can pray specifically for them. Please do not include gifts or personal information in your message, such as phone numbers and addresses. Christmas letters to campers will be mailed out on Friday, December 20th. Please send a card or note to:
Camp Del-Haven—Camper Christmas Cards
887 NW 1901
Lone Jack, MO 64070
by John Carpenter | Nov 20, 2013 | Ministry News
We are well aware of the changing tide of circumstances in our country — and the ever continual oppression that they inflict upon all who will live for our Lord Jesus Christ. This is why — more than ever — we need each other’s prayers for support and divine guidance and God’s enabling grace — to continue on! Truly, we march in step with the Holy Spirit — in the safety of the holy sanctuary of our Lord Jesus Christ — when we prayerfully commit each of our allotted days in this world unto Him. And, as always — we continue to ask — that, as you do so — that you lift up both our staff members and all the boys and girls that the Lord sent to us this past summer. They are all the targets of the Evil One. Our earnest prayers — is the best thing that we can do for them!
We are so thankful to the Lord for all of you — and the loving support you continue to faithfully display towards us. It is. indeed, greatly appreciated. We love to hear from you. You are ever in our continual prayers. As hard as things may get — we must not forget — Jer.17:7 “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord — and whose hope the Lord is!”
by John Carpenter | Nov 20, 2013 | Devotional
The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble. The name of the God of Jacob defend thee (2) — send thee help from the sanctuary — and strengthen thee out of Zion (3) — remember all thy offerings — and accept thy burnt sacrifice — Selah (4) — grant thee according to thine own heart — and fulfill all thy counsel.” Ps.20:1-4
Truly, there is nothing more deserving of our thankfulness than the Lord God’s answers and responses unto our most desperate and earnest prayers. Life and times in this fallen world are filled with “trouble” — of this there is no doubt. But, the good news is — we have the governor and controller of all our circumstances as our Savior and our God! Praise His Name!
This Psalm is literally a call to arms unto the Captain of our salvation — and all of us who are in His earthly army: 2Ti.2:3-4 “Thou therefore endure hardness — as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life — that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
These first four verses of this Psalm are a description of the reality that takes place for the saved one who — without hesitation — obediently follows the Lord in and through the battles that they encounter here in this world. By God’s grace — all eight of the realities listed here are ours — through the person and work of the Lord Jesus who first exhibited them on our behalf during His divine tenure on earth in His incarnation. He is our Surety and Substitute and, therefore, our Savior! Because of Him all eight of these are ours:
1. The Lord hears us [Or, lit. answers us] in the day of trouble.
2. The Name of the God of Jacob defends us [Or, lit. sets us on high].
3. The Lord sends our Help — from the heavenly Sanctuary.
4. The Lord strengthens us [Or, lit. supports us] out of Zion.
5. The Lord remembers all our offerings — and —
6. The Lord accepts our burnt sacrifice [Or, lit. the atonement that He has eternally wrought for us through His death for us]
7. The Lord gives unto us the desires of our own heart [which He has made the same as that which is His — our eternal salvation]
8. The Lord fulfills — on our behalf — His divine purpose and plan concerning us.
This is descriptive of the power of His resurrection — which everyone of us — like the apostle Paul — who have been redeemed by Christ’s blood — earnestly long to know — even while we are yet in the midst of the troublesome warfare of this world: Phil.3:10 “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection — and the fellowship of His sufferings — being made conformable unto His death…” This desire of our hearts — He brings to pass. For which we are eternally thankful!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
– John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Oct 15, 2013 | Ministry News
Campers
Ever always — please be in prayer for the many, many children that through the ministry of Del-Haven have heard the truth of the gospel of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. You who attended our banquet — received our traditional bookmarks which have the names of the ones who went through our camp program just this last year. Once again, not only pray for that child — but if you would like to send them a card for the holidays that are coming up — just send it to us and we will forward it on unto them. This sort of a loving touch from one of you — through Del-Haven — means a great deal unto the children. Lift them up to the Lord — commending them unto His love and protective care over their lives. We love and thank you.
Staff
Please do not forget to be in constant prayer for our staff. The spiritual warfare that we are ever engaged in with the evil one and this world is going to gain in intensity after a time of ministry — make no mistake about it! Our Lord is our strength — our Rock — and our tower of refuge. These special servants of the Lord need our prayers that they be preserved and delivered from the onslaught of satanic attack. And, pray that if it be the Lord’s will — He will send them safely back to us next year, too.
