While many students signed up on the bus trip home, if you would still like to request a copy of this year’s camp DVD, please email Jason Maners (jason.maners@gmail.com) and provide the student’s name, a contact email address, and a phone number. DVDs will be available at the end of July for $10 each.

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Learning to follow Jesus takes time, too. We need to be trained by someone who knows what to do. Jesus is our “teacher” for the Christian walk. When He becomes Lord of our lives, our heart’s desire will be to obey Him and please Him more than anyone else.

But before we can make Jesus Lord, we need to revere, respect, and honor Him. Is He worthy of our reverence? Why does He deserve to be the Lord of our lives? Because He has the credentials!

Credential #1- He created us. Jesus is the Living Word of God. Read John 1:1-5 substituting “Jesus Christ” each time “the Word” is used. Compare that passage in John to Colossians 1:15-16. Jesus Christ along with the Father and the Holy Spirit created the world and created us.

Because He created us, Jesus knows how we function best. Read Psalm 139:13-16. Jesus Christ knows everything about us. His unsurpassed knowledge of us qualifies Him to be our Lord.

Credential #2 – He identifies with us. Picture in your mind a story where a young fearless prince delivers his country from an evil ruler. Jesus was that young fearless prince. He became a human being and then He “gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:4).

Since Jesus lived as a man for thirty-three years, He knows the problems and temptations we face every day. “We do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus deserves to be our Lord because He faced the same problems we face, yet remained sinless.

Credential #3 – He redeemed us. This one is the most important! Jesus Christ lowered himself, became human in our world, lived a perfect life and died for our sins. Through His death, He crushed Satan’s rule on this earth forever. Redeem means to “rescue” or “ransom.” Another definition for redeem is to “recover ownership by paying a specified sum.” Jesus has legally obtained ownership of our lives from Satan. He has the right to be our Lord because He has bought us with the price of His blood. “You are not your own; you were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Jesus has the credentials to be Lord of our lives. So what should that mean to us? It depends on how we define “lord.” There are three Greek words in the New Testament that describe Jesus as our Lord. Let’s look at each word and its English equivalent. Despotes (master) – This master describes “someone with unlimited power.” Because Jesus’ power has no limit, He can master any situation. Basileus (monarch) – This kind of ruler is someone with “all power and authority.” A monarch’s word is law. Jesus is superior to other monarchs because His word is not only law, but it is always truthful and right. His authority is the final authority. Kurios (lord) – A person who is “lord” is the owner. Kurios indicates authority, but also conveys a sense of wisdom and love. When Jesus is Lord of our lives, He is the wise and loving owner. The Apostle Paul expresses Jesus’ lordship through what God has done as a result of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection: “God exalted Him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Jesus deserves to be our Lord. He has the credentials. He has been given authority from God to rule in our lives. He desires to be the wise and loving owner of our lives. The question we must answer is simple: Do I revere Jesus enough to submit to His lordship in my life? Our response to that question is absolutely critical to our own personal relationship with Jesus, and also determines our ability to lead others spiritually.

Spend the rest of your time praying that the Holy Spirit would help you understand these truths more and more.  Spend some time reflecting on your week and thanking God for what you have learned.  Asking Him to continue to show you how to take home what you have learned.

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Everyday we are in a spiritual battle.  We will talk about that a little later but we must be aware and be ready. When you think of a soldier, what is his armor used for?

Read Ephesians 6:10-18

The Belt Of Truth

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” Ephesians 6:14

Paul related the belt, girt upon the loins, to truth. There are two aspects to this picture. First, to be girded with truth is to be firmly established in the truth of God’s Word. God’s word is truth (John 17:17) and is therefore foundational to all the other pieces of spiritual armor. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you willl know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). Just as the soldier’s belt provided freedom of movement, you are kept free from the enemy’s lies by abiding in God’s truth.

Second, to be girded with truth is to be truthful, genuine, and sincere before God and others. This involves not allowing deceit and unconfessed sin to separate you from fellowship with God. It also involves being a person of integrity — not a hypocrite (see I Peter 2:12). By abiding in the truth, walking in truth, and speaking the truth, you will be spiritually ready in every circumstance.

Satan attacks truth with lies, for he is the father of all lies (John 8:44). He especially focuses on attacking God’s promises, casting doubt upon them like he did in the Garden of Eden: “Did God really say … ?”

If the enemy can get you to doubt God’s integrity and goodness, it’s a slippery slope downhill from there. One lie leads to another, and then another — until you are utterly discouraged, confused, defeated, and indifferent to life.

Q. How do we become anchored in the truth?

The Breastplate Of Righteousness

“…with the breastplate of righteousness in place…” Ephesians 6:14

The function of the breastplate was simple – to protect the soldier’s vital organs. In close hand–to–hand combat the breastplate was essential for survival. No trained Roman soldier would venture into battle without it. If we start to believe that our own righteousness, effort, or good works can make us worthy of God’s protection, the advantage quickly changes to benefit our enemy. Our righteousness is worthless in the battle. We need to get our eyes off of ourselves and back on the provision of the cross and the righteousness that is found in a relationship with Jesus.

Whenever the enemy tries to bring up your past to accuse you, the breastplate of righteousness is your trusty defense. If the Spirit of Christ dwells in you, then your heavenly Father receives you as His son or daughter no matter what the devil says. ” God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (II Corinthians 5:21). The righteousness of Christ in you is what matters — not your shortcomings and failures.

This does not mean that your heavenly Father is indifferent to your sin or regards it lightly. Rather, as a loving father corrects his child, so the Lord corrects you (see Hebrews 12:5-11). At times His chastening may seem stern and unfair, but He is working to mold you into the likeness of Christ. He desires that “the harvest of of righteousness and peace“ (Hebrews 12:11) be produced in your life.

Q. List one way you can deepen your relationship with Jesus.

Q. What is righteousness and how do we become more righteous? Is it something we do on our own?

The Shoes Of Readiness and Peace

“…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15

Without his sandals, a soldier would not be prepared to fight and could be easily defeated. Paul tells us that our preparation for battle is the gospel (good news) of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. The work of Jesus here on earth brought us peace with God. This reconciliation through Jesus allows us to fight with boldness, confidence, perseverance, and peace.

First, each of us needs to be at peace with God. This is the firm foundation beneath our feet. Someone once said, “No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace.” This statement echoes the words of Isaiah: “But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. ‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked’” (Isaiah 57:20-21). We are at enmity with God until we come into a right relationship with Him on His terms (see Colossians 1:21). “Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Romans 5:1).

Second, we need to stand fast in the peace of God. This involves casting our care and anxiety on Him (see I Peter 5:7) and yielding to His perfect will (see Matthew 11:28-30). “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). The peace of God will become a reality to us as we abide in Christ. Then, as the peace of God rules in our own lives, we will be prepared to share His peace with others.

A third and final aspect of the “shoes of peace” is to always be prepared.

Paul told Timothy to “preach the word; be prepared in season, and out of season” (II Timothy 4:2). In the army of God, there are times of rest and refreshment, but there is never a time for complacency. Christians who let their guard down and get comfortable during a temporary cease-fire will not be ready when their enemy comes in for the kill. After Jesus was tempted by the devil, the devil left Him “until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). But no doubt, the devil would be back (see Mark 8:33; John 13:2).

Q. What is the gospel?

Q. How do we develop inner peace?

Q. How does peace help us in battle?

The Shield Of Faith

“In Addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16

The only protection against the flaming arrows that rained down from the sky in ancient warfare was the shield. If used correctly, it was a trustworthy piece of equipment. If dropped, it became useless and the soldier’s fate rested with himself. We trust in Jesus alone as our shield. We cannot rely on our own abilities in this battle.

Each of us will face difficult situations and temptations of the enemy at one time or another. The shield of faith is the protection God has provided to get us through these tests. In temptation, the devil will try to make us believe the lie that sin can provide a better life than God can. However, our shield of faith will deflect that attack with the belief that God has provided all we need. In a difficult situation, the devil may use fear (false evidence appearing real) to try and get our eyes off Jesus. But our shield of faith will deflect that attack with the belief that nothing is too hard for the Lord (see Jeremiah 32:27).

If the devil can get us to doubt God, he gains temporary victory in our lives.

Q. Is fighting the battle something we can do on our own?  Why do we need faith?

The Helmet Of Salvation

“Take the helmet of salvation…” Ephesians 6:17

The helmet was essential for the survival of a soldier in battle. A Roman soldier’s helmet, known as the cassis or galea, protected a soldier’s skull and neck from enemy blows and falling debris. Fashioned from bronze or iron, the helmet included two hinged side pieces to protect the cheekbones and jaw. Helmets were often lined inside with sponge or felt for the sake of comfort.

How does the helmet of salvation guard a Christian’s mind? By providing hope, which is a joyful and confident expectation that God will keep His promises. “For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not have, we wait for it patiently. “ (Romans 8:24-25).

The enemy of our souls seeks to dissuade us from the “living hope” (I Peter 1:3) we have in Jesus Christ. However, as we yield to the Holy Spirit, God works His salvation in us. We are justified (made righteous) in God’s sight by faith in the finished work of Christ. We are sanctified (set apart unto God) by the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. We will be glorified when Jesus returns to receive us unto Himself, which is the culmination of our salvation. Thus, our hope and confidence is in God’s ability to complete the good work which He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6). Galatians 5:5 says, “But by faith we eagerly await through the spirit the righteousness for which we hope.”

Many of Satan’s battles against us happen in the mind. The devil can flash evil and lewd thoughts in our minds, hoping that we will entertain his thoughts and commit sin (see James 1:13-15). He can also bombard our thoughts with lies and doubts, hoping to whittle away at our trust in the Lord and get us discouraged. But perhaps the devil’s most subtle strategy is mind manipulation through subliminal messaging. Make no mistake, Satan is the god of this world, and he aims to keep people focused on the things of this world. He influences news media, advertisements, and popular music (even background music in stores) to condition people to accept the “values” of his anti-God, man-centered world system. “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

“ (II Corinthians 11:3; also see 4:4).

How easy it is to let our guard down when going about our daily lives. But let us not be ignorant of the enemy’s attempts to get our thoughts preoccupied with the lusts and cares of this world. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

.”

To counteract the battle going on against our minds, we need to receive God’s Word with all “readiness of mind” and search the Scriptures daily (see Acts 17:11). David said in Psalm 119, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise (also translated your word) preserves my life. My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. “ (Psalm 119:11, 50, 81).

Q. Do you have hope?  Where does your hope come from?

Q.How does hope help us fight our daily battles?

The Sword Of The Spirit

“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:14

When used at close range by a skilled soldier, the sword was a deadly weapon. Paul tells us that the sword represents the Word of God, the written picture of Jesus. He is the living version of everything God wanted to say to mankind. God’s Word is a powerful weapon against our enemy when it’s used under the spirit’s power and direction.

Remember that the sword is both an offensive and a defensive weapon. Used offensively, you hide God’s Word in your heart, root out sin, and strengthen your inner man with God’s promises before the enemy attacks. Used defensively, you deflect the devil’s lies, doubts, and temptations with the truth of the Word.

As you learn to effectively use your sword against the wiles of the enemy, remember the Lord’s words to you: “So do not fear, for I am with you; don’t be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

“ (Isaiah 41:10).

Q. How can we use the Word in our daily battles?

Q. Do you forget to use any of these?

Finish your quiet time by thanking God for giving us ways to resist temptation. Ask God to help you be aware that you need these pieces of armor  Ask Him to give you the discipline to use them on a daily basis and to recognize that this has to be something that are aware of, ask for and the Holy Spirit provides for us.

List the positive and negative influences these things have on you (ex. language, bedroom scenes, poor morality etc).  Read the following verses and think about each of the influences in light of the verses:

• 2 Peter 1:3-10
• Philippians 4:8-9
• Col 3:3-17

How can the things you listed have an affect on you?

What motivation do we have to bring these areas so that they reflect our decision to have Christ make His abode in us

Finish by praying that God would help you to live Coram Deo in all things and that your relationship with Him would grow more and more!

Throughout this week, the campers are working their way through My Heart, Christ’s Home by Robert Boyd Munger, a booklet that approaches the fact that when we accept Christ as our savior, He by the Holy Spirit, enters our heart and will be at home there. By using a series of rooms in a typical house, the campers are being challenged to take a hard look at what occupies the rooms of their heart and whether or not they are allowing Christ to truly be Lord of their lives. Today’s messages focused on the living room and the work room areas.

During our evening worship service, Troy presented the students with the idea of a God Given Mission. The students learned that God made us to know him and love him, to become more like Jesus, to help others, and to tell others about Him. Troy also encouraged the students that none of these things are accomplished in our own strength but rather by the power of the Holy Spirit and it is that amazing workmanship that demands our love, affection and adoration. At the end of the evening service, Troy challenged the students that they weren’t here by happenstance but rather God orchestrated their time here at camp, the works that they would do for Him, and their very existence. There were several students who expressed a desire to know more about a relationship with Jesus Christ and it will be very exciting to see how God will continue to move among these students!

Please pray for continued good weather . We are anticipating higher temperatures over the next couple of days with forecasted highs of 98°F on Friday, so keeping everyone properly hydrated is an important task. Also, please pray that God will continue to do a mighty work amongst our students and that they will have a blast the remainder of camp.

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Parents, please come and join us tomorrow night for another time of prayer at the home of the Hendrix’s 2956 Carriage Meadows Dr. Wake Forest, 27587 @ 7:00 pm. Any questions contact Robin at robod@nc.rr.com

We excited to see how God is going to “impact” our kids lives this week!

How easy would it be for you to have a daily meeting to interact with them about things that matter to you?

In the past couple of meetings we have talked about what the will of God is and what relationship is. The only way to get to know someone is to spend time with them – getting to know their likes and dislikes, their desires, what makes them feel joy, pain, what disappoints them, excites them.  In your family, do you see how everyone is different with different likes/dislikes, personalities, etc.) You get to know this by time spent with them, studying them, talking to them and listening!

There are 60 minutes in an hour and 1440 minutes in a day.  How many of those 1440 minutes do you spend in the living room with Christ getting to know Him, His likes and dislikes, His desires, what makes Him feel pain and joy, what disappoints and excites Him?

List as many things as you can think of that God likes and dislikes below:

Likes:

Dislikes:

Finish by thanking God for revealing HImself to us through the Scriptures.  Pray that God would help you to truly desire to spend time with Him/ that the Holy Spirit would develop in you a hunger to spend time in the Word and in prayer. Thank God for seeking to have a relationship with us!