by John Carpenter | Jun 2, 2011 | Devotional
“But my God shall supply all your need — according to His riches in glory — by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Phil.4:19-20
The Philippians were especially near and dear to the apostle Paul’s heart and life in this world. As a particular group of believers they were used of God more than any other in ministering to his earthly necessities. Time and time again throughout the course of his travels — someone from their group was always showing up with supplies — of whatever he happen to be needing at the time — just in time!
He recognized this to be an actual answer to his prayers — and those praying for him. Therefore, he saw the meeting of his different needs — so that he could survive in this world — as coming directly from God! Of course the means that the Lord used were the Philippians — and their wonderful way of willingly and faithfully providing for him — but in the big picture of things, they were the secondary source of the supply of Paul’s needs. God was always the primary source!
What Paul is saying in this text is that there is at work here a divine principle. The resources of wealth and supply that they came to have and to own — from which resource there flowed forth God’s supply of Paul’s needs — that resource of theirs would, in turn, also be supplied accordingly! Peter explains this divine principle in this way: “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life — and Godliness…”! Our faithfulness is made possible — is divinely worked out — by His faithfulness.
Hence, it literally — descriptively declares: “God shall fully supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” And, that this supply goes way beyond the temporal necessities of this world is made obvious from Eph.1:3-14. Where four times it is alluded to: The praise and the glory of the riches of His grace! In which riches there is included: Our adoption into His family — and our being accepted in Him (which is our justification by His grace) — and our redemption through His blood — and His having worked out all things in this life, or the next, for us — according to His purpose and grace — and glory!
Paul is led of the Holy Spirit to stress this fact — because he writes to us: “Now unto God and our Father — be glory forever and ever — Amen!” It is, indeed, grand — that he is led to articulate that God is our Father. He is our heavenly Father, through Christ alone — and we know He is our Father, by the Holy Spirit alone. “Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Praise His Name!
In the riches of His grace — through which He has supplied all the spiritual blessings for our eternal salvation — all our need is supplied in Christ — who is our all in all!
-For Christ’s Glory Only
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | May 29, 2011 | Camp News, Events, Ministry News
Dear Staff Members,
You all have been in my prayers and I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in you and through you this summer as we minister together to the boys and girls He is going to send this way. Our camp theme this year is . . . “The Solid Rock” – based on the hymn. Thanks, Kendle, for the suggestion last summer.
Camp Del-Haven — Staff Training/Preparation Week
June 6-9 2011
Monday 2:00-Thursday 2:00
If you need to come earlier on Monday or stay later on Thursday, just let me know – it will be no problem at all. If you are in need of a ride just give me a call and we can make arrangements. We won’t have anything formal starting until 2:00 on Monday. If you cannot be here for the entire training/preparation session, please send me the times you will be here so I can schedule the important training during those times.
If you are unable to attend the staff training/preparation week but are still interested in helping this summer please contact me so we can work something out for a training session. Also, if you have not filled out an application please do so as soon as possible. If you are a returning staff member I just need the front page and the weeks you are attending. As always, we are still in need of male counselors. If you know anyone who may be interested (male or female), feel free to pass along this information.
Items to bring during staff week:
Bedding (sheets, pillow, sleeping bag or blanket) – we will be staying in the cabins this year
Clothes (may bring a jacket for cool evenings)
Bug spray/sunblock (if needed)
Personal Items
Towel
Swimsuit
Bible
Fishing gear (optional)
Anything else you may need or want
Ideas…Ideas…Ideas…Ideas…Ideas…Ideas
by John Carpenter | May 7, 2011 | Camp News, Ministry News
John Carpenter is untangling a volleyball net and helping to clear an area for a permanent volleyball court.
Dan and Joshua McElwain are getting ready to take down a couple of old utility poles that are no longer in use.
Marybeth and her son Caleb, spent the afternoon raking leaves.
Dan and Caleb are working together to get the old utility pole to fall in the right direction.
Work Days will continue every Saturday until the first week in June. If you or your church group are looking for a service opportunity contact us for more information.
by John Carpenter | May 4, 2011 | Camp News, Ministry News
Well, May certainly has come to pass as an interesting month. As far as the world is concerned — it marks the end of Bin Laden…and the word of God bares its truth: Pr.11:7-8 “In the death of a wicked man — shall perish his expectation — and the hope of the unjust shall be lost. The righteous is delivered out of trouble — and enters the wicked in his place.” But, as far as Del-Haven is concerned — we’re just one month away from the beginning of our 2011 camp season. There is still much work to do!
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us — who can be against us!”
by John Carpenter | May 4, 2011 | Camp News, Ministry News
Please remember to pray for our staff as they prepare to minister the gospel to all the children that the Lord sends to camp this year. Also, pray for the children — that they come having been prepared by the Holy Spirit to hear and receive the gospel of the glory of Christ. As the world around us rages on in the ravages of sin and corruption — even so do we press on in proclaiming the gospel of grace. And, in the long run — in the end — the pure truth of the gospel will prevail! Praise God!
This is the month for the review of our note with the bank. Please pray that we continue to be favorably treated. They have thus far been very understanding of our position and track record — in spite of the condition of the economy and everything. May the Lord cause this to continue — so that we can continue — or, until we be able to free ourselves from this debt by paying it off completely — Praise His Name!
