by John Carpenter | Mar 5, 2012 | Devotional
“Wherefore, my beloved…work out your own salvation — with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God which worketh in you — both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Phil.2:12-13
Fear and trembling is specifically mentioned 7 times in scripture — although as a theme — it is found throughout the Bible to be a description of the Godly demeanor of every true Christian. Ps.2:11 dogmatically says: “Serve the Lord — with fear — and rejoice — with trembling!” This exhortation is given to each and every true child of God. It speaks of serving Christ with a holy fear of failing to please Him in anything that is done, or not done — and, at the same time, rejoicing in serving Him with an unnatural humbleness of mind. Fallen flesh is naturally joyful in something that it can be personally proud about. Therefore, it is not natural to rejoice with trembling, which in this case denotes reverent and Godly humility.
This is much like that which Paul exuded when he was with the Corinthians. 1Co.2:3 gives expression to this truth when Paul says: “I was with you in weakness — and in fear and in much trembling.” Hence it is obvious that this fear and trembling is an evidence of the indwelling, in-working presence of the Holy Spirit. For these Godly things only show up after God grants unto us His grace of repentance — which becomes for us a demeanor of how we live out our life.
2Co.7:15 — which was written in the context of how obviously repentant the Corinthians proved to be — demonstrates in what demeanor they had received Titus — who was sent by Paul unto them to see if they had in faith received Paul’s reproof of them. And, Paul commends them for their obedience. He says of them: “…how with fear and trembling ye received him.” This means that they exhibited this trait as a proof of their walking — in the Holy Spirit.
This is what is also obvious from our text selection from Phil.2:12> “work out — your own salvation — with fear and trembling.” This can only be done by the Holy Spirit because it is a working from the inside out — and the Holy Spirit indwells the true believer! We cannot fulfill what this text describes without the Spirit of God. There would not be any fear and trembling experienced in obeying the command that is here given — if we could work out — on our own — our eternal salvation! God — who only gives grace unto the humble — does not give an inch to any scenario where personal pride may be able to gain any ground! Pride cannot abide — where the Holy Spirit genuinely indwells! Hence, Phil.2:13 is an eternal truth of God’s sovereign almighty grace: “For it is God that worketh in you — both to will and to do — of His good pleasure.” Just as the Holy Spirit was intimately involved in every aspect of Jesus’ life — from His conception unto His ascension — even so the child of God — the saved one by Jesus — comes to realize by regeneration the same intimacy with the Holy Spirit’s involvement in every aspect of their life and being and walk!
“As many as are led by the Spirit of God — these are the children of God!” Ro.8:14
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Feb 13, 2012 | Ministry News
As you probably know — we have been purging our mailing list to exclude addresses on our list that are no longer relevant. It is both good and necessary to periodically do this. We do not wish — at any time — to send news of our ministry, or our needs, to places that are neither valid nor receptive. And, having done this — may I sow a word of encouragement for you all to — maybe — talk about Del-Haven to someone new — who might become interested in supporting our ministry? We do have a website that you can send them to — if they are up to date with that sort of thing. Also, if there is a church group, or something like that — we would be glad to schedule a time to talk to them in person — and provide for them some brochures. After all — we do have 60 years of experience in preaching the gospel — and of being sustained by the grace of God — from which we can share. It is just a thought.
by John Carpenter | Feb 13, 2012 | Camp News, Ministry News
Our Saturday work days begin on Saturday, April 7th. We serve breakfast and lunch to participants. Please contact us if you or your church group would like to plan for a work project. 816-690-8465.
by John Carpenter | Feb 13, 2012 | Camp News, Ministry News
June 18-21 (6 to 8 year olds)
June 25-28 (9 to 12 year old girls)
July 9 – 12 (9 to 12 year old boys)
July 16-19 (6 to 8 year olds)
July 23-26 (9 to 12 year old girls)
July 30 – Aug. 2 (9 to 12 year old boys)
We have already begun to plan camper programs and activities of a little more variety for this coming year. There have been made some great suggestions that only need now to be implemented. The feedback that we have gotten from some of staff of recent years has been very encouraging as well. We are so happy that some of our best our planning to be with us once again. But — as we know that prayer is the accomplishment of God’s will — please be praying with us — and for us — that the Lord will lead us — even in all that we plan to do for Him. For we know of a certainty — that if we fill the description of the Word in acknowledging Him in all our ways — He will direct us in all our paths.
by John Carpenter | Feb 13, 2012 | Devotional
“Now ye are clean — through the Word which I have spoken unto you. (4) Abide in me, and I in you. According as the branch cannot bear fruit from itself — except it abide in the vine — no more can ye — except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine. Ye are the branches. He that abideth in me — and I in him — the same bringeth forth much fruit! For without me [or, lit., apart from me] — ye can do nothing!” Jn.15:3-5
Religion without a real confession concerning the glory of the totally accomplished work of Christ — is, indeed, a dangerous thing! For it tends — in the end — to only flatter people by leading them — in a self righteous way — to think, or imagine — that they can do something without Christ.
Jas.1:21-22 tells us what we need cleansing from: “Wherefore, lay apart [or, put off] all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness — and receive with meekness the engrafted Word [or, the implanted word] — which is able to save your souls. (22) [lit.] But keep on becoming doers of the Word and not hearers only — deceiving your (own) selves!”
It isn’t that we don’t do anything — but that we don’t do anything according to our own fallen flesh! The Spirit of Christ and the Word of God dwells down inside of us and ever works to transform us into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise His Name! We, indeed, “have this treasure in earthen vessels — that the excellency of the power may be of God — and not of us!” So to be a true “doer” of the Word — is the same thing as saying “the Word” [which is Christ] does it all. There is no darkness, nor deception, where this pure truth is concerned!
The enemies of the truth spend all their time and effort in obfuscating this divine principle of grace. It is the way of the world to sow thorny weeds in the same place — the same heart — that the Word of gospel truth is implanted. The thorns, you remember, serve to choke the word to death…so it will not bear any lasting fruit. The lust of the flesh of fallen human reasoning may, indeed, receive the implanted Word with joy — but, alas, it has no real root to be able to endure the hot affliction that will, of a certainty, come upon it because of the Word. It, too, in the end — brings forth no real fruit. And, Satan — works day and night to blind the mind — so that it cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, as the Word says: “But if — our gospel be hid — it is hid in them that are lost”.
But — praise the Lord — for the revelation of Himself that He — is the Light of the world! And, also the scripture from Ep.5:8 that describes: “For ye were sometimes darkness — but now are ye light in the Lord! Walk as children of Light!” Oh, yes — Ps.119:105 says: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet — and a light unto my path.” Also, vs.130 tells us: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Praise the Lord for His Word and His Spirit and what they have done!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
