by John Carpenter | Jan 16, 2014 | Devotional
“According as His divine power — hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness — through the (full) knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue; (4) whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises — that by these — ye might be partakers of the divine nature — having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2Pe.1:3-4
The grace of God that makes a new creature of the true believing sinner is, indeed, a marvelous and wonderful thing! It is a divinely powerful thing! It affects everything that pertains to the life that is bent toward Godliness. The scriptures dogmatically declare from Rom.3:10 — that because we are born in sin — “there is none righteous -no not one”. This means that man from himself — by himself — is left completely unjustified before holy God.
How then can this be changed? Well, frankly, by us — it can’t! But, where the gospel of the glory of the divine power of God’s grace is concerned — things can be, by His doing — entirely different! Ro.4:5 delivers the wonderful news — “but to him that worketh not — but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly — his faith is counted for righteousness!”
This is what Peter is telling us when he says that through God’s divine power and His exceeding great and precious promises we have become partakers of His divine nature! It is in this way — we have escaped out of the awful grip of the corruption that is in this world through lust!
Of course, how all of this takes place in our lives and experiences is by virtue of the gospel truth that we have been placed by God — in His eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ — from before the foundation of the world! And, being a branch in Christ, the Vine, the justifying righteousness that we own — is His righteousness — because we are in Him. Being found in Him — God can find no fault in us! There are no accusations that can be truthfully made against us. Why? Because: “there is, therefore, now — no condemnation — to them that are in Christ Jesus…” “We are His workmanship — created in Christ Jesus — unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Pr.11:23 says: “The desire of the righteous — is only good!” Why is this the case? Even because as Ps.37:4 says: “Delight thyself also in the Lord — and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” By grace, His desires become our desires.
Whatever it may be that we have — that is good and Godly — we have because it has been graciously given unto us by God. 1Co.4:7 rightly asks it: “…what hast thou — that thou didst not receive? Now if, also, thou didst receive it — why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?” This is good rich food for thought — for the new year!
For Christ’s Glory Only –
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Dec 16, 2013 | Camp News
Please remember that the reality is — that many times — for many of our children — this time of year can be a bitter/sweet experience. Many of these boys and girls must deal with a less than desirable set of circumstances in this lost and fallen world. We earnestly pray that those who have become a part of our camper family will be led of the Holy Spirit to remember the love and salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ — that has been faithfully presented to them out here at Del-Haven. Pray for these dear ones.
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!”
