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.

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

We earnestly pray for these things — and we also pray for you. That God will bless you — and meet all your needs. And, we pray for you — that you, too, will be in prayer for these things for us — with us. God be praised!

Remember — prayer is used of the Lord in the accomplishment of His will and purpose for the furtherance of the glory of the purity of His gospel. The gospel of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ — the only Sovereign Savior Substitute — that ever was, is or ever will be! “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name — that will I do — that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If ye shall ask anything in my Name –
I will do it!” Jn.14:13-14

As I write this newsletter, the weather is unseasonably sunny and warm. We are usually out cutting more firewood for our wood stoves — and maybe even having to shovel our way out through some snow. That’s all right — we’ll take this warm weather with an hearty thanks unto the Lord — and go on. In everything we are to give thanks — but in this we give an hearty thanks!

Thank you, dear ones, for being there — have a blessed and prosperous New Year!

These are the words that Hezekiah spoke unto the people of Jerusalem when king Sennacherib and the Assyrians had come and surrounded the city and demanded that they surrender, or die. It was, however, 185,000 of them that died instead — overnight — by just one angel of the Lord!

This incident occurred right after Hezekiah had done such good for the nation of Judah. 2Chr.31:20-21 describes: “And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah — and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. (21) And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God and in the law and in the commandments — to seek his God — he did it — with all His heart — and prospered!”

There is so much here to encourage our hearts — is there not? No matter what the outlook is — or, the odds are — that are against us — when the Lord our God is with us there is no enemy nor weapon that is formed by the flesh that can prosper! There is no government — nor principality — nor power that can prevail over us! Ps.34:7 says that, “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him — and delivereth them.”

A true child of God will always be in prayer — seeking the Lord his God — that He will go before them — in everything — in this world! “In all thy ways acknowledge Him — and He shall direct thy paths” — “Pray without ceasing”– “Men ought always to pray — and not to faint”. And, isn’t it wonderful that we do not need to have to always go to our special place of prayerful worship and devotion in order to petition from the Lord — His leading? No — His almighty throne of grace — from where He rules and reigns over us — is immediately available to us — whenever we call — from wherever we are. God’s eternal presence goes with us! This means that God’s power goes with us — and God’s peace goes with us — and God’s prevailing grace goes with us! The blood paved way to the throne of grace is always available — is always to us accessible. That is — to the true children of God. He has eternally willed and made this to be the way that it is. Praise His Great Name!

So, as another new year in this old world overtakes us — let us be mindful of God’s great and wonderful never failing faithfulness. Yes — in this world we will have trials and tribulation — but that’s ok — because Jesus in no uncertain terms tells us that He has fought for us — and has overcome the world! On this truth — spoken by He, who is the Truth — we can rest.

-For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter

By the same token — please remember all the children who have gone through the camp program. Pray that the work of the Holy Spirit will be manifest in their young lives. Causing them to grow in grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Giving them strength to meet each of their days in this dark and dangerous world. Teaching them to pray — and the importance of God’s Word in their lives.