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.
by John Carpenter | Oct 15, 2013 | Ministry News
At this time of year the campground begins to reflect the aura of a majestic beauty that is simply breath taking! The changing colors of the leaves — the cooling temperatures of the evening — bring in a season and a time for us to meditate and to ruminate what our Lord has done in His ministry here at Camp Del-Haven. We have so very much to thankful for! For over 60 years — He has sustained us — and He continues to do so. Praise His Name!
Our banquet this last month was truly blessed by the Lord. We had many first hand reports from the front lines through our staff and board members. They brought forward current news of our ongoing needs — and some of the experiences and happenings of this last summer. We were especially glad to be able to welcome some of you who came — who have been prayerfully supporting us from our beginning — but have never (until now) been to one of our annual banquets. Thank you for coming! You don’t know what an encouragement to us it really is that you did so. And, thank you for your continuing prayerful support.
by John Carpenter | Oct 15, 2013 | Devotional
“Herein is our love made perfect — that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because — according as He is — so are we in this world!” 1Jn.4:17
“For it became Him — for whom are all things — and by whom are all things — in bringing many sons unto glory — to make the Captain of their salvation — perfect — through sufferings. For both — He that sanctifieth — and they that are sanctified — are all of One. For which cause — He is not ashamed to call them brethren!” He.2:10-11
God’s love for us — is everlasting! He has used it — to draw us all unto His eternal and only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ — and then, through Christ — unto Himself [Je.31:3] — praise His Name! But, the text above [1Jn.4:17] is referring to our love for God that is specifically expressed though our love for one another. The context that surrounds this wonderful verse describes our dwelling in the constant activity of loving one another. And, it is this that gives occasion as to why we can expect what is announced in the next phrase when it says: “we may have boldness — in the day of judgment”! This grace truth is even a reality “because as He is — so are we in this world”. Let the words of that last phrase thoroughly sink — deep into your understanding!
1Jn.4:19 makes it clear that our love for God — and for one another — is ultimately because He, God, first loved us. There is no disputing this great truth. And, He.2:10-11 declare for us the description of how the Lord God demonstrated His great love for us. It says: “For it became Him” — and this is saying that God made it to be as conspicuous — as the erecting a tall tower upon the landscape of fallen humanity — to make the Captain of our salvation — to be the perfect Savior for our lost and fallen souls — through His suffering the utter ignominy of becoming incarnated into being — one of us!
Our eternal salvation depended upon us — becoming like Him — BUT — in order for that to happen — He had to become like us – FIRST! In order for Him to be able to do that — to walk among us as one of us — He had to suffer the laying aside — the glory of the image of His holy deity and come and die as our substitute — for our sins!
The wonderful result of this is the blessed eternal gospel truth of He.2:11! This is the pure gospel truth of eternally saving grace. And, this is eternally secured — in the eternal person and being of the eternal Son of God! Oh — the blessed union that we have by virtue of the person and work of our sovereign eternal Savior and Substitute — the Lord Jesus Christ! “For both He that sanctifies — and they that are sanctified — are all of One” We are in Him — before God — complete and perfect and without sin — even holy! “For which cause” — He is not ashamed to call us brethren! (Because He has cleansed and completely cleaned us up!) It is no wonder that the Word of God says: “If God be for us — who can be against us!” [Ro.8:31].
For Christ’s Glory Only!
-John Carpenter
