by John Carpenter | Aug 30, 2013 | Devotional
(11) “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica — in that they received the word with all readiness of mind — (and ) searched the scriptures daily — whether such things were so! (12) Therefore, many of them believed…” 1Th.17:11-12
It is interesting to observe the context of this familiar passage of scripture. Paul and Silas had just been compelled to leave Philippi — and, therefore, they journeyed to Thessalonica. Upon arriving there — they entered, on a Sabbath day — into a local synagogue of the Jews. For three Sabbath days — Paul preached unto them out of the scriptures the pure truth of the gospel that is brought forward from them about the eternal Christ. He taught that this truth is all bound up in the actual person and work of Jesus. He — is the true Christ of God!
Some out of the crowd that were present, it says, were convinced by Paul and Silas. Some Greeks and women — that is — but the Jews, for the most part, remained unbelievers. In fact, they put together a make shift mob of vulgar and violent men — and created an uproar with the intention of assaulting them at the house of Jason! Having converged on Jason’s home — and searching for them there — they did not find them. So, they took Jason and certain other brethren who happened to be with him — and brought them before the rulers of the city with accusations against Paul and Silas! Since they were not with them — Jason and the brethren were released.
The scripture says they immediately sent Paul and Silas away — who then traveled to Berea. Once they arrived there — guess what they did? They went straight to the local synagogue of the Jews — and preached the same gospel message. This was the life and experience of the evangelizing servants of the Lord in the first century. This is the providential context that God’s sovereignty led them to the descriptive text above.
The Holy Spirit of God who led them through the fiery afflictions of their time in both Philippi and Thessalonica — now brought them into — by comparison — the open and welcoming arms of the believers in Berea. Hence, Dr. Luke says of them — that they were more noble, or more generous, that those of Thessalonica — because they — obviously by a work of prevenient grace by the Holy Spirit — received the word from them — with all “readiness of mind”– or, with eagerness of inclination. This reception was not natural! The natural man “receives not the things of the Spirit of God” (1Co.2:14) — but rather considers them to be foolish. But, not the Bereans — their hearts and minds had been prepared by the Lord to receive His blessed gospel when it was ably and purely preached unto them. They went further — and manifested the presence of the life changing grace of faith — and “searched the scriptures daily” — to see whether those things that were being preached unto them were true! Therefore, it says — that many believed! “Faith cometh by hearing — and hearing by the Word of God” (Ro.10:17). Praise the Lord!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jul 7, 2013 | Ministry News
Our first two camp sessions turned out to be real blessings. The Lord continues to send to us wonderful supplies of every kind through Pastor and Mrs. John Jones of Faith In Christ Fellowship Church in Oak Grove, MO. They are such a rich blessing of encouragement — and, of provision! Please pray for them and their ministry.
Remember, dear friends — to be in continual prayer for our staff — and the children that God draws and directs into our camp sessions. The devil is, indeed, a defeated foe — but not yet totally removed from the battlefield. God is in sovereign control of all things — and our prayers are used in His perfect way to accomplish His perfect will — Praise His Name! One little eleven year old girl named, Michelle — around the campfire of last week’s camp — said that her favorite thing at camp were the verses of scripture that she memorized! She has been coming to Del-Haven for years…and this is the Spirit led spontaneous testimony — of her heart. This is so precious when you take into consideration what the Word from 2Th.2:10 describes of all the lost souls: “because they received not — the love of the truth — that they might be saved!”
Please, dear ones — continue to prayerfully combat with us — the darkness of this world — by assisting us in the “holding forth of the word of life”– unto these dear children. Thank you for being there — and — we love you!
The girls lined up and sang camp songs while waiting to be picked up in the city at the end of their camp session. They were singing about God’s Everlasting Love . . . and they were not being quiet about it!
by John Carpenter | Jul 7, 2013 | Ministry News
Well, the 2013 Del-Haven camp season — truly has started off with a real bang! We were faced with the foreboding situation of having camp — without a swimming pool. We had a severe tear in our liner — as all of you who get our newsletter knew. Our great God — who hears and answers our prayers — moved through you all — making it possible for us to be able to buy a new one. Then came the awesome task of installing it. With little to no experience of performing this task — we naturally sought the Lord’s direction every step of the way. Hence — we got it installed — on Saturday around noon between the first and second scheduled camp sessions.
Next, we had to fill up the new, but still empty pool. This means we needed 36,000 gallons of water! Back in the old days we used to have all our water trucked in — but, that was then, and this was now. Our water man is no longer with us — and every other avenue of supply — diligently searched out — seemed to come up short. Of course, we had a couple of garden hoses running all the time since we got the new liner in place — but the task seemed to be just too much for this slow method to fill up a swimming pool by the noon launch of the next camp on Monday! So, we went back to our Lord in prayer. The Lord heard — and again answered our prayers! We can’t really explain how the pool ended up filled and ready to us by noon on Monday — but, we Praise the Name of our Lord for His intervention! And, we thank you — for all your prayers and special financial provisions! You, too, are a continual answer to our prayers — for your prompt response in helping to meet our needs. This is true love exhibited in spirit and in truth!
by John Carpenter | Jul 7, 2013 | Devotional
“Great is the Lord — and greatly to be praised — in the city of our God — in the mountain of His holiness!(2) Beautiful (lit.) on high — the joy of the whole earth is mount Zion — on the sides of the north — the city — of our great King!” Ps.48:1-2
The first phrase of this Psalm — actually — explicitly — ascribes greatness (in magnitude of importance and glory) to the eternal Lord, as having been manifested to be none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, He is to be greatly (or, exceedingly and abundantly) praised! Therefore, He is the great King — of all kings!
And, truly our Lord is great! He is the great Shepherd of His sheep! Who through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant– His own shed blood — [He.13:20] — has laid down His life — just for them [Jn.10:15]! He knows who they are — and He calls them all by their name — and they follow Him — and He gives unto them — eternal life — and they shall never perish [Jn.10:3, 27-28]!
He is the one and only great High Priest [He.4:14] — that ministers before God in the holy heavens on behalf of all those whom God the Father has given unto Him [Jn.6:37; 17:2]. Through Him — as our great High Priest — we, in full assurance of faith in His blood — have bold access into the heavenly Holy of holies [He.10:19-22].
As our eternal — great High Priest — He officiates His perfect ministry for us in a “greater and more perfect Tabernacle — not made with hands — that is to say — not of this creation!” [He.8:1-2; 9:11]! Through Him — and Him, alone — there is, indeed, provided — “so great salvation”! Therefore, He is a great Savior [Is.32:20]!
This brings unto us — great joy [Lk.2:10] — as we traverse through the wilderness of this fallen world. We inevitably discover that Jesus is, indeed, a “great Rock — in a weary land” [Is.32:2]. We find that — in Christ there is commended unto us — God’s “great love — wherewith He loved us” [Eph.2:4] — and there is bestowed upon us His great grace — which gives us great power — to speak His word with boldness [Acts 4:31,33] — bearing witness of the great things that He hath done [1Sam.12:24].
In truth — the eternal person and work of the Son of God — the Lord Jesus Christ — is, indeed, a great Light [Is.9:2]! Everyone who has walked this world in darkness — unto whom this Light has been revealed — is a true witness of this fact. This is the Light that shined unto the lost Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus — arresting him — and changing him into the apostle, Paul — when he was on his way to Damascus [Acts 22:6]. “Suddenly there shone from heaven — a great Light”– he says.
In a principle of His grace — dear ones — this is how it happens with each of us! He reveals Himself unto us — and we then exclaim: “Oh how great is thy goodness — which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee…” [Ps.31:19] Praise His great name!
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable!” Ps.145:3
by John Carpenter | Jun 16, 2013 | Ministry News
Please be in prayer for Sheri DeSchepper and Jeff Hall — who head up our staff of young warriors for Christ Jesus. They are — this very week — training new additions to our staff — as well as giving guidance and direction to returning staff members. The Lord has heard and answered prayer where our need for additional male help is concerned. Again, praise His Name! We continually thank the Lord — and all of the help that He sends our way — especially in our urgent time of need.
We constantly thank and praise Him for all of you as well. Some of you who have been faithful to provide those small monthly stipends — this will not go unrecognized at glory time! Your steady gifts always seem to come at just the right time! Our God is the perfect governor — of our lives. He is Wonderful!
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, please do not ever forget to be in prayer for the boys and girls that come to camp. Pray that the Holy Spirit of God — prepares their hearts — for hearing and responding to — the gospel. It is just such prayers as this — which are well used by the Spirit of God — in the accomplishment of His holy will and purpose. Thanks to you all — for being right where the Lord wanted you!
