Author: Scott Lane

Scott Lane is the Executive Pastor of Ministry at FBCSA.

Rhythm

Re: Verse reading–Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (day five)

Hello from Youth Camp at LeTourneau University.  Our theme for the next two weeks is “Rhythm”.  Galatians 5:25 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”  One of the truths we want our students to understand is that Life in the Spirit is best accomplished with regular and consistent attention and determination.  There is a rhythm needed to keep “in step with the Spirit”.   Worship, Bible Study, Meeting with Other Believers, Prayer, Devotions, and Service are means to a fullness of Life in the Spirit.  The goal for camp is to NOT be a once a year spiritual vaccination to keep us “spiritually healthy”, but rather a reminder that throughout each day and week, that we can and should be regularly and intentionally engaged in activities, conversations, learning, study, and relationships that would point us to the Scriptures and the Author of our Faith.  This same principle is mentioned as a prompt and prescription for parents and those who have influence in the lives of children and teens to bring Rhythm to faith growth and development. See Deuteronomy 6:7-9.

See That!! Do That!!

Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 5:21-33 (day five)  Confession:  I am a visual processor.  Seeing a mock-up or writing down the problem and possible solutions, helps me make better decisions and commitments.  Sometimes actually moving the picture or furniture is the only way for me to understand what the room could look like.  Asking questions like “How will this look?” and “How can this work?” leads me to sketch, build charts, and fill white boards with endless possibilities.  If I can see it, then I can process better and quicker.

When Paul unpacks his teaching on marriage, he communicates deep theological and emotional truths and insights.  Very complicated.  But he also includes pictures and examples.  How awesome is that!?  Did you catch them?  For husbands:  Look and observe how Jesus loved (loves) the church.  For wives:  Watch and notice how the church is subject (submits) to Christ.  The scriptures give a clear and recognizable pattern and model!!

Marriage- How can this work? How will this look?  Answers:  See that!!  Do that!!

 

 

 

He Knows

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 16:1-7; Psalm 139 (day five)  v1.  “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.”

Saw a post on Facebook the other day that was very unsettling.  It was a reminder that a hidden tracking setting on my smart phone was recording where, when, and how frequently I spend every moment of my life.  Every move documented and even mapped.  How many people will immediately turn that off after reading this post?

Psalm 139 indicates that God knows those same things and even more about each and every one of us.  Not only in real time, but also from the beginning of time.  For some people, this seems very intrusive, frightening, and intimidating.  Many would look for a way to turn this setting off as well.  Yet, for the Psalmist this truth brings comfort and peace.  There is no threat in this observation, only shelter and refuge.  An understanding of God’s omniscience can bring real and honest dialogue and a willingness to trust.  Do our hearts willingly open and invite God to search and know everything about us?

 

 

 

Past and Present

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:26-31; Romans 5:1-11 (day five)

Romans 5:8  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”

Ever notice the 2 verb tenses in this verse?  Past (Christ died) and Present (God demonstrates).  Jesus’ death on the cross was a “once and for all” moment, yet God still uses it in the present as a reminder of His never-ending love.  We remember Christ’s death and are immediately filled with a flood of emotions (thankfulness, joy, sorrow).  It is the work of the Holy Spirit that constantly/presently points us to the death of Christ to prove and pour out the Love of God.  God’s past love (Christ’s death) can be understood as a present reality.  As believers we have the privilege each day to remember back and rejoice now in God’s Love.  When we do this, the result is a deep and daily Hope of the Glory of God.

The Heart of the Matter

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 35:4-10; 20-35; 36:2-7 (day five)

21 Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought…   22 Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought…   29 The Israelites, all the men and women, whose heart moved them to bring material for all the work, which the Lord had commanded through Moses to be done, brought a freewill offering to the Lord.

It’s a wonderful thing to brush up against someone who has had his or her “heart or spirit stirred” by the Lord’s mission or message:

They see potential and possibilities.  They know their part or piece is important, but also recognize there is a “larger” purpose and mission involved.

They have a sense of urgency.  I remember my pastor growing up used to say, “Delayed obedience is disobedience”.

They work, serve, and give with joy.  That’s a distinctly different perspective.  It looks, sounds, and feels like worship.

They intuitively understand what they must give or do.  The Holy Spirit does this work in the heart of the believer. (John 16)

The Israelites whose hearts were stirred:  they gave, they brought, they worked, and they participated.  Sounds a lot like a New Testament Church too, doesn’t it?

The Next Step

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 32:1-19, 30-33; 33:12-17; 34:1-7 (day five)  7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8 They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them.

It happened that fast.  Perhaps it was an idea or a fleeting thought.  Maybe it was born out of fear or frustration.  The end result was an immediate derailing from God’s plan and path.

This summer at Youth Camp we are studying Galatians 5:24-25.  25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

This verse speaks to the attention and the determination we MUST have in order to serve and follow the Living God.  Sin and disobedience are as close as “the next step”.

One of my new favorite songs has these lyrics:  To my heart I preach Your sovereignty and the power of Your name.  God, let hope arise and faith become the fortress of my heart.  I will lift my eyes and see You as the awesome God You are, believe You as the awesome God You are.

How and when do we “preach” to our hearts the power, strength, and goodness of the Living God?

Moments and Meeting

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 25:1-11, 17-18, 23-24, 31-32; 26:1-2, 7-8; 27:1-2; 29:43-46 (day five)

What a sight it must have been, God’s presence and glory surrounding Mt. Sinai.  (Chapter 24)  Can you imagine the majesty and magnitude the people both saw and felt?  The human tendency is to ask or question, “When is the next big moment”?  “What will God do next to grab my attention or have the wow factor”?

God’s plan for leading and caring for His People included more than grandiose moments, it included regular meeting.

We see it in the faith development of teens:  depending on God’s power and presence only at events like Camp, Retreats, and Freedom Weekends.  But the teens (adults too) that spiritually thrive, are the ones who understand and discover that faith grows deeper and stronger as they daily encounter the dwelling presence of God, rather than a “mountain top” moment here or there.

43 I will meet there with the sons of Israel, and it shall be consecrated by My glory. 44 I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar;  45 I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will be their God. 46 They shall know that I am the Lord their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them; I am the Lord their God.

Trust and Obey

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 24 (day five) 

3 Then Moses came and recounted to the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the Lord has spoken we will do!”

7 Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!”

As the Israelites enter into covenant relationship with God in Exodus, their response is a sincere and bold confession of understanding, trust, and dedication.

The new covenant through Christ requires similar understanding, trust, and dedication.  9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Rewind to the confession made in Exodus 20.  Are we just as determined to trust and obey?

Remember, Remember

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 20:1-17 (day five)

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

What a splendid thought and picture…  The Creator of the Universe commanding us to intentionally and regularly pause, rest, look, listen and worship!!  As we remember and set apart the Sabbath, through His creation, we gain understanding and appreciation for God’s power, wisdom, and divine nature (Romans 1:20).

As Moses reminds the Israelites later of God’s Commandments (Deut. 5:15), he challenges them to remember in the Sabbath observance, another facet of God’s work and character (provider and rescuer).  “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day.”

God not only created them (us) but saved them (us) as well.  The focus (our remembering) is on God as both creator and deliverer.  A humbling lesson learned and celebrated by keeping the Sabbath Holy:  We did not create ourselves and we could not save ourselves.  Makes a heart turn to God in wonder and gratitude!!

ID

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day five)

The main task for adolescents is to solve and settle one fundamental question, “Who Am I?”  Identity formation is a long (social scientists indicate longer now than ever) and complex process.   What’s important?  What is true? Who can I trust?

4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 5 Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’

Throughout Exodus and the Old Testament (for the Israelites) and all through the New Testament (for believers) (see 1 Peter 2) God continues to answer this crucial question.  We best understand and discover our ID (Who We Are) in covenant relationship with God where we value, obey, and trust Him.  As we examine our hearts and lives today, how do our perspectives, personalities, and priorities echo the Character and Promises of God?