Having just got back from attending family camp at Clydehurst Christian Ranch last week, I have quite a bit of posting to do and I am going to try and fit it all into one. So here it goes...
In order to avoid distracting from the most important thing, I will put the lesser things here first.
Upon arrival, we had to register in this building.
Then we were directed to this building, which would be our living quarters for the week. It was more spacious than it looks and it even had a full bathroom inside!
No, this guy was not living when I took this picture :) but he sure makes a mean first impression!
On Monday we had our first hike, which ended up here. This makes me think of the movies "Spirit" and "The Sound of Music."
I've got a couple of pictures from a place called the Natural Bridge, which was really neat as the water went underneath a huge stone slab, creating a natural bridge.
On Thursday, my Dad and I tackled Steeple Rock, the five-star hike of the week. We traveled three miles on a steady incline and then proceeded to cross a small boulder field before doing some mountain climbing to reach the peak of Steeple Rock. The first picture is the camp from halfway up the mountain and the second is from the summit.
The final hike brought us to this place called Trinity Falls. The wilderness in Montana is truly amazing. We Saskatchewanians certainly aren't used to so much varied terrain, but it's such a treat when we get to travel.
Now for the most important part, which was the biblical teaching for the week.
August 4/14
Romans 8:26-30
If you are growing in the Lord, the things in the world become less and less satisfying. (v.26)
God has a will for you. (v.27)
God's will for you is to be conformed to the image of His Son. (v.28-29)
The Holy Spirit helps us accomplish within the will of God. (v.30)
Everybody dies, and the question is how are you going to live?
Matthew 7:13-14
When you come to a fork in the road of life, rarely is the easiest choice God's will. God loves to give you more than you can handle because He wants you to realize that you need His help and He gets the glory!
Romans 12:1-2
God intends for you to figure out His will. (v.2)
If we are followers/servants of Christ, why wouldn't we want to figure out what He would want us to do?
When God delivers His will, we should embrace it as good, acceptable, and perfect.
August 5/14
Being conformed to the image of Christ:
1. You can be religious and lost. Ex) Paul
2. You can be in close proximity with Jesus and still be conformed to the world. Ex) The 12 disciples
Mark 11
In this passage, Jesus is not the peaceful, turn the other cheek, kind of guy we can sometimes picture Him to be. When He cleanses the temple, He is more like a lion than a lamb.
There are parts of our lives that are conformed to the world and they have to be violently eradicated. Jesus gives spiritual spankings to the ones who are His own because He loves us. God will do what it takes to conform you to the image of His Son. Don't let your life be ruined by the sin you will not let go of.
Lesson #1: Cleanse your temple.
Matthew 24
Jesus calls us to live life looking to eternity. Live in expectancy of the second coming of Christ. Live every day as though it is the last day.
Lesson #2: Look to the skies.
August 6/14
John 13
See how Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. We are called to follow the example of Christ, becoming a servant of all. God will give you dozens of daily opportunities to serve, but you must have your ears open to hear His voice. If you are always concerned with your importance and how others should serve you, something is wrong.
Lesson #3: Saved to serve.
John 15
Jesus commands us to abide in Him and to abide in His love. Abiding in the love of Christ is shown by our obedience to His commandments.
Lesson #4: Live in love.
August 7/14
John 17
The pattern of prayer that Jesus uses here is praise, people, protection, and purpose. He first praises God, then turns to pray for the people of God, then for God's protection and finally His purpose (faith and unity). Too often prayer is our last resort. We need to spend part of our lives figuring out that we cannot do it alone. Once you get to the point when you realize that you are nothing without Christ, then you pray.
Lesson #5: Pray, pray, pray.
August 8/14
Acts 27
Sometimes we are knocked off course in our walks of faith by the storms in our lives that come unexpectedly. When you are in the storm, what should you do?
1. Remember to whom you belong and who you worship. (v.23)
2. Recognize that fear is the devil's tool, do not be afraid.
3. Trust the character and the Word of God. Don't be concerned with anything else. (v.25)
4. Set for yourself a doable, practical course of action. (v.26)
5. Make the right, physical, psychological, and emotional decisions. Sometimes you need others to help you.
6. Look for God to meet your needs, and know what your needs are.
7. You need the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ, particularly those who have the gift of encouragement.
I learned a lot this past week and I am grateful for all the reminders because I am so prone to forget what life is about as I chase after meaningless things in this world. By the grace of God I will become more like Christ and live as I should: cleansing my temple, looking to the skies, serving and loving God and others, and praying constantly.
