Why Camp Dies at Church
Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
First let me say thank you to the parents for allowing my wife and I to take your kids to the boonies of Indiana, where cell services goes to die. I know it was hard not really “knowing” what was going on everyday, but I can assure you there was no Youtube, Facebook, or texting.
Secondly, I would like to thank our Pastor and Bro Mark for really encouraging us to go to Indian Creek. There was many obstacles that stood in our way, but I knew the Lord had to do something for us.
Thirdly, I want to thank Ms Tammy, Nathan, and Bro Jesse for going with us and being such wonderful influences to not just our kids, but all those yankee kids. Not only was Christ’s love displayed but they showed what southern hospitality was.
Lastly, I want to thank my wife for being such a wonderful help to me in the ministry. There have been many difficulties over the years, but she never ceases to amaze me. I love her dearly and I wouldn't want to be in the ministry with any one else.
With all of that being said, I want to share a thought the Lord gave me while we were at camp. If we are not careful, the decisions made and the commitments made could fall by the way side if we are not careful. Too often, we hear of youth and even adults making commitments at camps, rallies, missions trips, or other special services all to let them go by the wayside when they come back to their home and home churches. I want to share a few things the Lord encouraged me with, and how we could avoid “Why Camp Dies at Church.”
- Differences
- Let me first say there was great Excitement from day 1 of camp. It didn't matter how hot it was or how uncomfortable the chairs were. These young people were excited to be in the House of God.
- Psalm 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”
- Vance Havner once said, “Church starts at 11:00 sharp and ends at 12:00 dull.”
- Have we lost our excitement about coming to the House of God?
- There was also Hunger from the teens. Sure they were hungry for food (What good Baptist is not?), but they were hungry for the preaching of the Word of God.
- 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
- Distractions
- One of the biggest reasons why camp dies at church and home is distractions. It is easy to get right with God when you cant access Facebook, TV, and cell phones. It’s harder when you get home and it is there just in reach.
- It would be very easy to allow the things in news today hinder the decisions made, but we must not allow this to happen.
- There maybe friends that you may need to distance yourself from, there maybe music you need to get away from, there maybe tension between parent and teen that needs to be made right. What ever it may be, it can hinder your walk with the Lord.
- Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to lay aside the weights and sin that easily besets us.
- Decisions
- This is by far the most important thing that was done this past week. We seen the Lord working on Wednesday with our teen girls and the boys followed on Thursday night. We had a great time, but I encouraged them to not allow the flame to burn out when we got home. Too often a word of discouragement will quickly put out a fire that has been lit. We need REVIVAL in our church and I truly believe we could see it if we would just decide right now to allow the Lord to do “inventory” in our lives and yield to Him! No RESERVE! Hold nothing back from Him and allow Him to have full control.
We need to encourage those who went and encourage others to go next time. They truly missed out on a blessing from the Lord. We need to “sharpen” one another to serve the Lord until He returns.
Here is the video link:
Indian Creek Baptist Camp:http://indiancreekbaptistcamp.com
