by John Carpenter | May 24, 2012 | Devotional
“My sheep hear my voice — and I know them — and they follow me. (28) And I give unto them eternal life — and they shall never perish — neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Jn.10:27-28
The Lord Jesus Christ declares from these verses — not the way that He hopes it will be with all those that are truly His sheep — but the way that it truly is! There is not being proclaimed here His intention — but rather His accomplishment! There is no doubt about it — that which He has said — His “sheep” hear. And, they hear — not because they know Him — but because He knows them!
The next thing the Lord Jesus says is that those He knows follow Him. A precedent is being revealed here by our Savior — as to how things are — as well as, how things are always going to be.
This is such a blessed text for us to learn how wonderful our Savior truly is! Every single one of us who have — by the grace of faith — fled for refuge to Jesus Christ realize all too well — two things simultaneously: 1. That we are fallen sinners and, therefore, we are in dire need for something that only God can do. Only God can get us safely through this wicked world — without ultimately ending up in hell. This kind of eternal salvation that the Bible describes — is completely under sovereign God’s government and control! And, 2. That the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God — sent into this wicked world to do for us exactly what needs to be done in order to eternally save us! The gospel declares that He has already accomplished this — for all who are His sheep.
That’s why Jesus says: “And I give unto them — eternal life and they shall never perish”. John says in another place: “And this is the record — that God has given unto us — eternal life — and this life is in His Son! He that hath the Son — hath the life — he that hath not — the Son of God — hath not the life!”
The only view that we sinners can have of “eternal life” — is in the Lord Jesus Christ and what the Word of God describes and declares of His person and work as our sovereign Savior and substitute! This is exactly what the Pharisees could not — and as a result — would not believe! Hence, Jesus told them: (26) “But ye believe not — because ye are not of my sheep!” Notice He did not say: “You are not of my sheep — because you do not believe”. No — believing does not make you a “sheep”. If one is a “sheep” — they will hear and believe the gospel of God’s grace! And, in this way — they will hear and believe the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will hear and believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ — throughout their lives. Praise His Name!
For His Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Apr 11, 2012 | Ministry News
We have another pressing need for two refrigerators. They don’t have to be new — a couple of good used ones (if you have, or know of any) will be welcomed.
Please continue to pray for us in being able to meet our regular monthly expenses — and to be able to retire our indebtedness to the bank for the water lines and lake repairs. We are seeing it get smaller — but it is still there.
And, of course: Please be in continual prayer for the children and the staff whom the Lord will bless and choose and cause to approach His ministry of the gospel of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ that continually goes on here at Camp Del-Haven.
by John Carpenter | Apr 11, 2012 | Events, Ministry News
We had a wonderful start of this years Saturday work days for preparations of our up and coming camp season. Several folks — by the Spirit’s moving — showed up to help us out. Please be in prayer that this kind of assistance continues. It really encourages our hearts to witness this testimony of the Lord.
by John Carpenter | Apr 11, 2012 | Ministry News
We thank the Lord for the rousing response we have had to our need for new mattresses for the bunks in the dorm. We need 32 — and to date we have received enough funds to purchase 14. Thank you so much! You are loved and appreciated! Please continue to pray for the need to be completely met.
by John Carpenter | Apr 11, 2012 | Devotional
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causeth to approach unto thee.” Ps.65:4
I don’t know why there are so many that seem to absolutely despise the sound Biblical doctrine of divine and gracious election. It is dogmatically declared from God’s word throughout both the Old and New Testament. Some might rightly say that it is a part of the very fabric of God’s gospel of His grace toward sinners. For in it is the truth of eternal security — that we all long for!
From this particular phrase of holy scripture the Psalmist declares four significant things about the man he is referring to:
1) The man is said to be “blessed”. Obviously what is meant is the man is spiritually blessed by God. Which fact brings to mind that which is likewise written in Eph.1:3 which says: “Blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ…” And, the man the Psalmist is describing is one that is also included here in Ephesians.
2) The man is “blessed” by God by virtue of his having been chosen by God. And, it is Eph.1:4 that serves well to substantiate this truth as well. For it goes on to tell us: “according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world”. This text informs us of the fact that all of God’s elect were chosen by Him in Christ — on the same date — “before the foundation of the world”!
3) The significant thing about the “blessed” and “chosen” man in Ps.65:4 is the fact God also “causes” him to do something that is very needful and important. This truth is also very much a part of the gospel as it is declared in the New Testament — from Ph.1:6: “Being confident of this very thing — that He which hath begun a good work in you — will perform it [or, lit. will perfect it] until the day of Jesus Christ.” And, Ph.2:13 delves deeper — when it says: “For it is God which worketh in you — both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
4) What it is that God “causes” the “blessed” and “chosen” man to do is “approach” unto God. Being fallen sinners — none of us naturally come to Christ. Jesus even said from Jn.6:44 “No man can come unto me — except the Father who sent me — draw him…” And, remember when the sons of Korah and others rebelled against Moses and Aaron and their leadership? It is written about from Nu.16 — where vs.5 gives the answer of Moses to them: “And he spake unto Korah and all his company saying, Even tomorrow the Lord will show who are His — and who is holy — and will cause him to come near unto Him — even him whom He hath chosen will He cause to come near unto Him.” Likewise — all those whom God has “blessed” and “chosen” – does He graciously “cause” to “approach” unto Him! Let us give praise for the glory of His saving grace!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
