Camp Devo
2021 HS Camp Devo – Friday
MORNING DEVO
Begin your time with prayer. Ask God to help you understand His Word and apply it to your life.
Gratitude: What are 3 things you are thankful for?
Who or what are you praying for today?
Last night we talked about “Real Identity” and the things we allow to define our lives. While many people and things will try to define us, our real identity can only be defined and understood through the One who made us. As you experience a love relationship with Christ, you can begin to understand your identity in Him more fully. You can know the basis for who you really are as described in Scripture. You can know:
- Psalm 139:1 – I am personally known by God.
- Psalm 139:13-14 – I am fearfully, wonderfully, and personally made by God.
- Psalm 139:16 – I am the object of God’s planning and will.
- Zephaniah 3:17 – I am the delight of God.
- Romans 5:1 – I am made right with God and at peace with him.
- Romans 5:8 – I am so incredibly loved that, even while I was a sinner, Christ died in my place.
- Romans 6:6 – I am set free from the power of sin.
- Romans 8:1 – I am forgiven, and not condemned!
- Romans 8:15 – I am personally loved and adopted as God’s dear child.
- Romans 8:38-39 – I am absolutely secure in God’s love through Christ. Nothing can separate me from God’s never-ending love.
- Romans 12:4-5 – I am an invaluable part of the Body of Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 12:18 – I am uniquely made and gifted with purpose.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 – I am an Ambassador of Christ.
- Ephesians 1:3 – I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
- Ephesians 1:11 – I am an heir of God according to his will.
- Ephesians 2:10 – I am God’s masterpiece, equipped to make a difference in his kingdom.
- Titus 3:7 – I am eternally alive in him.
Who you are does not depend on what you do. Identity does not depend on titles, or positions, or social status. It depends on the wonderful fact that you are a child of God. You are God’s masterpiece, and you are valued and treasured simply for who you are. Slowly read the list of truths on the previous page and reflect on the following questions:
- Which of the truths in the list above do you need to hear (and believe) more?
Read John 10:10 (Click here to Read).
Journal your answers to the questions below.
- Why would “the thief” (Satan) want you to believe lies about who you are in Christ?
- How does a right view of who you are in Christ lead to “life to the full” or “a rich and satisfying life?” (John 10:10b NIV/NLT)
- Are you experiencing a love relationship with God through which you can understand your identity in Him?
- If not, what would keep you from committing everything to Him right now?
2021 HS Camp Devo – Thursday
MORNING DEVO
Begin your time with prayer. Ask God to help you understand His Word and apply it to your life.
Who or what are you praying for today?
Gratitude: What are 3 things you are thankful for?
Read 2 Kings 2:1-6
1 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. 2 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.”
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!” So they went down together to Bethel.
3 The group of prophets from Bethel came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”
“Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.”
4 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Jericho.”
But Elisha replied again, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together to Jericho.
5 Then the group of prophets from Jericho came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”
“Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.”
6 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to the Jordan River.”
But again Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together.
What kind of friendship do Elijah and Elisha have?
Why won’t Elisha leave Elijah even though he knows that Elijah is leaving earth on this day?
What are some hard things friends can help you walk through, so you are not alone?
Read Proverbs 17:17
17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
Real friendships might have struggles. What are some struggles friendships have that should be worked through?
True friends love even when it’s hard. What is a time you should have loved someone else even though it was difficult?
Read John 15:13
13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
What is the ultimate sacrifice of friendship?
Jesus is the person speaking in this verse; to what is He referring?
2021 HS Camp Devo – Wednesday
MORNING DEVO
Begin your time with prayer. Ask God to help you understand His Word and apply it to your life.
Journal: Who or what are you praying for today?
Last night we talked about experiencing peace, even when life is hard. This morning, we want you to meditate on 2 powerful verses:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
It’s simple. It’s short, and it’s incredibly powerful. Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of the most familiar passages in the Bible–with good reason. It’s a life-altering truth that is more than worthy of our attention.
Trust in the Lord.
It all starts with trust. Any real relationship has to start with some level of trust. It’s the only way a true friendship remains. It’s the only way a marriage works. It’s the simple reason why an employer hires employees, or why the employees stay employed. It’s all about trust. Trust in the Lord, however, takes on an entirely new dimension. This is our trust in a divine, eternal, all-powerful, all-loving God. He is worthy of our trust. The trust is important, not just because of who God is, but because of the way in which we must trust him: with all your heart. That involves every fiber of your being. That’s the kind of trust we can have in God–a complete, unshakable, deep, abiding trust.
If you have trusted God for salvation, you can trust Him with the rest of your life, too–every single detail.
Don’t Lean on Your Understanding
The verse involves a positive – something you do. But it also involves a negative – something you must not do. Don’t lean on your own understanding. The verse is telling us that we ought not to be self-reliant. Our choices must be founded in our trust in the Divine. Self-reliance is a deceptive trap. We begin to pride ourselves in something – our friends, our looks, our intellect, our religion, our family, whatever. And when we do, it takes away our trust in the Lord. It has become trust in self.
Instead, Acknowledge God. In Everything.
The fix to this self-reliance is found in the first command of the verse, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,” which is purposed in the next verse, “In all your ways acknowledge him.” The word “acknowledge” isn’t a polite tip of the hat to the “Man Upstairs,” or a few words of grace over your meal or even attendance at church to let Him know we’re still cool with what He’s doing. It’s far more. It’s allowing Him control, command, and involvement in all your life – in all your ways.
What’s the result?
The verse ends with a promise. He will make your paths straight. Paths lead toward a destination, a goal. So, trusting God in every area of your life gives you a sense of purpose. It indicates that there will be a clear understanding of where you are going and what you are doing. You realize you are trusting Him. He is making your paths straight. “Straight paths” include purity. A life that has less sinful compromise and more Christ-like attitudes, actions, and behaviors.
That’s the kind of life that God promises. It’s the kind of life that you can have. It begins with trust. It involves acknowledging God in every way. Today’s choices determine your future. The wisest choice you can make today is to trust God in BIG ways!
Journal:
- What are 3 things you are thankful for?
- Sometimes it’s difficult to not “lean on our own understanding.” How are you having to trust God in a way that is stretching your faith?
- How can you acknowledge God in all your ways today? (Remember, it’s about allowing Him control, command, and involvement in all your life.)
- In what area of your life is it most difficult to fully give God control?
Pray Proverbs 3:5-6 as a declaration to God today:
“God, I will trust in you with all my heart today. I will not depend on what I understand or my own reasoning. I commit to seek your will in all I do today, and I fully trust that you will show me which path to take. I you do, I will will walk in faith and obedience, trusting that you are leading me to walk in a path that is for my good and your glory. In Jesus name, Amen.”
2021 HS Camp Devo – Tuesday
MORNING DEVO
Begin your time with prayer. Ask God to help you understand His Word and apply it to your life.
Who or what are you praying for today?
Gratitude: What are 3 things you are thankful for?
Read John 10:1-11
1 “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”
6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Who is speaking in these verses?
Who is He speaking to?
Jesus uses a word picture here. What does He describe Himself as?
Why do you think He refers to Himself that way?
Verse 10 speaks of the enemy (Satan) wanting to steal, kill, and destroy. What are some things in your life that have stolen your joy or robbed your relationship with God?
Read John 10:27-30
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”
How do sheep (believers) know His voice?
What are some examples of how you follow Him?
What do you think vv.28-30 mean? How does that make you feel?
How does the truth of John 10 impact your life?