by John Carpenter | Jul 16, 2012 | Camp News, Ministry News
We want to thank our good friends — once again — at Crest Bible Church — for remembering our needs with a food drive during their VBS Program again this year. We can’t begin to tell you how much this really helps! We praise the Lord for them. This has become a veritable tradition with them…which is wonderful!
We also want to thank Jim and Nancy Lyons and our faithful friends at Strasburg Union Church — who continue to help keep us well supplied with what we need. Their year round availability and assistance is welcomed and appreciated very much! We give continual thanks unto God for them.
Also, there is Pastor John Jones and his church, Faith In Christ Fellowship. His sons and daughter have served on our staff — while he and his wife, Donna, have greatly supplied the work here at Del-Haven with both food and drink. Praise the Lord for His working — through His loving and willing servants!
Well — all 16 bunk beds — in our dormitory — have been reconstructed, renovated and made ready to support their new mattresses. Of which — we only need 7 more to meet the task. Thank you for your continual prayers and financial support of this project. We love and pray for you all!
by John Carpenter | Jul 16, 2012 | Camp News, Ministry News
Well, our camp season has begun — and we have completed two camp sessions. And, thus far — your prayers have truly been marvelously felt and answered! We have had two wonderful sessions in which the glorious and gracious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ has been faithfully presented — and also positively responded to. At the campfire session of the second camp (which was for older girls) there were many testimonies that were given — that were rich with the work of God in how He had captured the thoughts of these young ladies — and changed the direction of their thinking! More than one recognized that they have been on the broad way to hell — but now are on the narrow way to life everlasting in Christ! Effective preaching — God’s Word says — is “not with enticing words of man’s wisdom — but in demonstration of the Spirit — and of power.” We praise the Lord for the presence of just such a demonstration of His Spirit and His power!
by John Carpenter | Jul 16, 2012 | Devotional
“And be found in Him — not having mine own righteousness — which is of the law — but that which is through the faith of Christ — the righteousness which is of God — by faith.” Phil.3:9
From this verse we learn that there are, indeed, in existence two completely different righteousnesses. There is only one righteousness, however, whereby a true believing sinner may be accepted with God. But, both righteousnesses could — by today’s standard — look like — and be accounted as being — “Christian”.
This naturally raises the relevant question: What exactly is it that makes up the big difference between the two? And, the answer is found in the phrase, “through the faith of Christ”. For the reason that this is true — is because the righteousness that a fallen sinner needs — in order to be justified before God — is a perfect righteousness. Anything less is simply not acceptable. And, just such perfection — is found only in the person and work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
There is revealed from this text — that there is a righteousness that is indeed lived and performed — that is generated from a sinner’s fine — but imperfect — efforts at keeping the law of Moses. But, this is just not the same as that righteousness that has been lived and performed through the faith of Christ Jesus — the sovereign Savior Son of God! He is the object of the faith of the true believing sinner — for He — is the sinner’s substitute and perfect propitiation!
Ro.3 so aptly explains this divine and gracious premise unto us. Vs.21 announces it with the declaration: “But now — the righteousness of God — apart from the law — is manifested — being witnessed by the law — and the prophets”. In other words, the much needed perfection — where righteousness is concerned — has been lived and performed! (Vs.22) “Even the righteousness of God — which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all — and upon all — them that believe — for there is no difference” — and the reason why that there is no difference among believers is then stated from vs.23: “For all have sinned — and come short of the glory of God”!
Any sinner’s justification before God is next — put purely — in its right and proper perspective: (vs.24-25) “Being justified — freely — by His grace — through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus — whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation — through faith in His blood”! This — God did — in order: “to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins…” What a wonderful phrase of holy scripture this is!
Vs.26 continues to explain: “To declare, I say, at this time — His righteousness — that He might be just — and the justifier — of him (lit.) that is of the faith of Jesus.” Vs.27 reveals that the saved are ruled and governed by another law — “the law of faith” — in which the Lord Jesus Christ rightfully owns all the glory! Praise His Name!
by John Carpenter | Jun 15, 2012 | Ministry News
Thanks to all who have responded where the mattresses are concerned! Of the 32 that needed to be replaced — we only need 8 more to complete the job. That’s great! Things are really looking good. Also, we still need one more refrigerator. A good used one will do. In God’s good and perfect way — I’m sure these needs will be supplied.
by John Carpenter | Jun 15, 2012 | Ministry News
As I write this — and by the time that you will most likely receive this — our first camp for Del-Haven’s 60th season of ministry will be underway. It is all by grace — that we have come this far — by faith — leaning on the Word! Just last week we had a most appropriate bible conference on the sufficiency of scripture. Our very existence is a testimony to the validity of this truth!
Over the years we have learned well that this is a good seed sowing ministry. Even in what has seemed to be a dramatic and instant work of grace in a person’s life — it is only by the proof of a true walk that has emerged has the real testimony of the Lord’s presence and power. We have existed long enough to see family generations affected by Christ’s ministry through Del-Haven.
As usual — once the camp season begins — it will be non-stop till school reopens. Please remember to pray for us — our staff and our campers — that the Holy Spirit will make His presence known in demonstration and in power — as the truth of the gospel of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ is faithfully and boldly proclaimed!
