love of God, overflow.

And in these moments, whether they be incredibly exciting or disheartening, we can forget to simply be with God.

To be still and look upon Him, as the One who gives us strength, who restores us, who knows us.

When we know of His love for us, we at times can’t help but want to respond to Him and can become so overwhelmed in doing things for Him that we miss Him as a person whom we have a relationship with.

Proverbs 4:25 encourages us to “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.”

Though God will speak to us in His own way and as we grow accustomed to Him, there is something special in fixing our gaze on Him.

For me, though I may not necessarily feel or hear anything, what I find in these moments is that it puts everything in perspective.

My life, with its troubles and excitements: all into perspective of Him as our awesome God.

Of my purpose as a child in Him and of the great plans He has made for my life. In being still we surrender our thoughts to Him and allow Him to plant seeds in us.

He becomes a place of refuge.

Lifting our eyes to Him also reminds us of the goodness that is in Him and the hope that is ahead.

“They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them.” – Psalm 78:11

When we close our eyes and remember Him we are reminded of what He has done for us, the blessings He has given us, the trials He has brought us through.

I find that when we make effort to recall and seek moments in our life where He has worked in our lives, His glory becomes all the more evident to us. And it allows us to come to a place of humility in awe of Who it really is we are seeking.

“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” – Psalm 27:4

We are reminded of an assurance in Him.

In Who He is, that He is always at work for our good, no matter what that may look like in our circumstances.

And when we practise this simple task to be still and look unto Him, we find that “salvation is” (Isaiah 14:22).

We remember His ultimate faithfulness to us, and whatever that hopes to swallow and distract us from Him becomes reduced to naught.

And so I would like to encourage us to be still and fix our eyes on Him. And though we may not think anything is changing or happening, take heart and have faith for He is working in us.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” – Psalm 27:14.

I’d like to share a verse that always encourages me, for even as a leader I still cannot say that I can hear Him.

Jesus tells us “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

In some translations it writes, ‘My sheep recognise my voice’. Don’t give up, keep seeking Him in those still moments, and eventually we’re going to learn to recognise Him.

Take rest in Him, for sometimes all He asks is not works from us but to be still and know He is God.

Yes of course you will not get everything done and I believe there is nothing wrong with that.

We’re not perfect.

We’re not God and God is not us.

God didn’t make us always successful because that would not make sense. If that were the case, failure would not exist and we would expect ‘right’ as the only outcome because we have done nothing wrong.

That can’t be true because God loves us for who we are. His love drives out our fears and failures. There is so much more out to put there rather than expecting the same results of just a single task. 

Even for an atheist they would acknowledge the same struggles wouldn’t they?

With similar experiences: We often win. We often lose. We often have times that we choose. We often recall. We often forget. We often know there is a price with regret.

But the only difference: We will have the same face of glory. We will have the same time on how we spend it from the past, present and future. We will always remain on God’s side no matter how far we go.

It all sums up with the simplicity of Jesus Christ: (Hebrews 13:8)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.” 

Application:

In brief, whether you have started or not try something you wouldn’t usually do but keep going with consistency.

For example try setting a time to pray for at least 1 minute and from each day on continue to go further.

Read a random verse from the bible and continue to grow on and reflect from what you learned and apply it.

I encourage you to go talk to someone at the camp you haven’t met before and continue on with a brand new conversation each time you meet. It doesn’t have to be perfect because you have the chance to try again and again.

Life is always a series of ups and downs, but more downs then ups. I was still the same but the difference was I tried harder and at some point I aimed higher where I wanted to be.

I believe if I can make a difference, why can’t we all?

Remember that God has not given you fear and he has redeemed and forgiven all of your sins.

Prayer:

Father I pray for the last 5 days before camp that we would learn to focus our hearts on you God and for all the moments of joy we can spread our love and lift up our words towards you and each of us God. Father I pray as you are omnipotent and dominus (master), we can all communicate our courage and fears in where we understand to balance our inner lives and strive to maintain to learn from mistakes and grow for the stronger.   

 In Jesus’ name we pray,

 Amen.

God bless you all and ARISE,

Some of us have probably grown up in good families with good friends and always been the “good kid”.

When you hear all these amazing stories about people’s lives being transformed and you wish you could be like that.

Likes let's be serious; when was the last time you heard an amazing story about a good kid’s life being radically changed for good?

Probably one in about ten thousand - pretty lame stats yeah?

So we wish we could live the “free life”.

Think about it this way though.

Do they also have no regrets?

Life isn’t always smooth!

But we gotta try to make the most of it.

God accepts both equally. 

Jesus recruited Nathanael who was a scholar, and chose Matthew the tax collector.

The rest were probably the most average people in society.

The disciple Thomas, we seriously wouldn’t even remember him if he hadn’t doubted Jesus.

Jesus listened to Nicodemus a religious leader and ate with sinners.

He chose to help people, whoever asked - He did not reject anyone who asked for help.

God came for forgiveness, yet he doesn’t reject the good people too.

He came to make all people good.

When we stuff up big time, it’s not GG, but more like “it’s ok, try again next time” and when we get it right, “well done my child”.

Peter probably wet himself when Jesus slept through the storm (Matthew 8:23-34) and even after that when he tries to walk out on the water (Matthew 14:22-36) and yet both times Jesus pulls him through. 

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[Dollars] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Luke 7:41-43

It’s not who does God love more, but rather who will love him back the most.

God loves all just as much. 

Don’t be discouraged with what you have and for who you are.

Everyone has their good and their bad.

We are like characters out of Mario Kart, nobody has full stats and everyone has some advantage compared the others.

To win the race it depends on how we use the skills we have, kinda like combo moves?

Putting your trust in God is not some super life hack.

Life still has its ups and downs, but he is always there and he will pull you through.

We have all been there, feeling on top of the world where everything is all sunshine and rainbows, then suddenly realizing that it has all gone.

Now let me ask you what is your attitude like at that point of time?

Do you feel weak and helpless?

Does words like “I can never get things right” spring into your mind?

Well there is a man in the Old Testament who undergoes similar trials but suffers in a context worlds apart from our modern day definitions of suffering. 

In the book of Job, there is a man called Job, who is quite wealthy and seems to live a relaxing, carefree life.

He is also upright and always wanted to satisfy God by even providing sacrifices for his children just in case they sinned. He basically lives out his life as an ideal man of God.

However Satan says that Job was only so faithful to God because he had an easy going life where everything was going his way.

As a result Satan takes everything Job has away from him, first his possessions, family and even his health. Contrastingly, Job doesn’t curse God for his suffering, nor loses his faith in God and sins.

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I come from the womb and naked I shall depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.

- Job 1:20-21

Another point to take note of in the first few chapters of Job, is the control God has even over Satan. Even he has to obey God.

The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

- Job 1:12

The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands, but you must spare his life.”

- Job 2:6

Notice the tone in which God talks to Satan in, you can get a feeling that God has much more power over Satan right?

Since even Satan has to obey God’s word and if God is watching over us we have nothing to fear.

Therefore, regardless of whatever situation you are going through, HAVE NO FEAR FOR GOD IS IN CONTROL.

Job sets a great example of having faith in God in the midst of trials. Even to the point where he has painful sores from head to toe he still praises God for all the good he is.

Now that is the kind of attitude that all of us as followers of Jesus should have towards our faith, that we not only praise God during the good, easy times of life where everything is going well but praise God regardless of what current situation you are in.

This may seem like a daunting task, to not let your faith in God be swayed despite physically seeing suffering right in front of you, but take heart as you have the loving, faithful and gracious God walking with you.

If we are faithless he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

- 2 Timothy 13

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you

-Deuteronomy 31:6

So what I want leave with you guys is an important “skill” to learn; to condition you mind to praise God and know he is in control regardless of what situation you are in.

By doing so, we will not let our faith ride the “typical rollercoaster” of emotion that we encounter throughout daily life but our faith will SOLELY be grounded in GODS WORD ALONE.

But in order to do so, you need to be grounded in your foundations, knowing deep deep down to the core of your heart that God loves you, is with you and arming yourselves with the word of God by delving deep into the bible and soaking up his word.

Remember camp doesn't have to start at camp, it can start in your bedrooms, living rooms or wherever you just chill and spend time with God.

I encourage you guys to start spending quiet times and prepare your hearts for camp, as we believe that God is going to do great things and reveal to each and every one of you new things about him.

Looking forward to seeing all you wonderful people and all your wonderful faces at camp!

Have a blessed week,

In Galatians 5:1, it reads:

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. STAND FIRM, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

It might be a bit nerve racking or intimidating to talk to someone about God who doesn't know God, let alone invite them for a week away for a church camp.

But - WE ARE FREE.

FREE from the fear that might bind us or hinder us from knowing God more or feeling His love.

And FREE from the burdens that enslave us and keep us down. Matthew 5:10-12 says:

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Sometimes following God can be hard, especially when you're surrounded by many who don't and even disagree with you.

But hold on.

We have so much to look to.

We're not alone out there.

"You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. ...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:4-6

There's this video that comes into mind, about how this guy, a strong atheist, receives a bible from a random man with a message in it.

He didn't exactly accept Jesus through it, but he was moved by the man's gesture.

But he says: 'if you believe that you're God is the only way to save me from Hell, then how much do you have to hate somebody to not tell them about Him.'

That challenges me... That if a strong atheist can realise the urgency of how a person needs God then shouldn't we..?

Be bold. Be confident.

Go forth with Him, He'll carry you.

Love you guys,

Valerian

A. More weeks of holidays (no more school)

B. The school year to be over (no more school)

C. The torture of the next two terms to never arrive (or no more school)

I would feel so emotionally, physically and spiritually drained.

I am pretty sure that all or majority of us have felt like this.

But reading Romans 8: 31-39 has really encouraged me personally cause its all about God's love.

This devotional I want to focus on verse 37.

So this verse is written after everything bad that could ever happen to you is listed: tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, danger and swords.

However, it states, "No, in all these things we are MORE than conquerors through him who loved us."

This means that THROUGH the Father's love we can not only defeat what life throws at us but be so much MORE.

MORE than our brokenness,

MORE than our laziness,

MORE than our procrastination

and MORE than any chain or box we put ourselves in.

This camp's theme is ARISE and as children of God in a world of instant gratification and technology I pray that everyone of you will rise up and not JUST conquer but BE MORE THAN CONQUERORS of your own fears and demons that you may be facing right now.

love you guys,

Olivia

(follow me on tumblr)

For instance, when you let go of what people think of you, you’re no longer bound by it and you have this sense of freedom to be who you want to be. Or when you let go of your need to please someone, your teacher or your parent perhaps, the result of what you get in an exam no longer has a hold on you like you did before.

Sometimes, we have to let go of things to embrace the greater thing.

We have this infinite need in our hearts to prove ourselves, to show each other, our parents, God even, that we’re great, we’re perfect and we’ve got it under control. 

But the thing is guys, we don’t.

As much as we try, we will always fall short of the glory, the perfectness, the greatness of God. (Romans 3:23)

We can’t be Him.

And the great thing is this; it’s okay. We haven’t been called to.

So we gotta let it go!

Stop beating yourself up for things that God doesn’t blame you for. Stop condemning yourself for things God hasn’t called you to do. 

Sometimes, when we’re not wiling to admit it, it’s often because we think we’re better and more able.

But today, right now, God desires for us to stop striving and just be.

Let God be God, for the glory is His, not ours.

When we let go there is a certain freedom that comes.

When we let go of these things, we embrace the greater thing: God.

All we must do is be still, let it go and know that God is in control.

"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:3

For when we’re still, we’re able to float and rise above, every trouble, every trial and like clouds, we’re able to

see beyond our circumstances and realise that this is but a season, a moment in a greater landscape of time that God has in the palm of His hand.

Application:

Be still, not just physically but with your heart, emotions and your striving to please, let those things go.

Spend some time just acknowledging who God is, his power, his grace, His wonder, His glory. 

Prayer:

Father, I pray that today, I will learn to be still and let go of what  is getting in the way of me letting You be God in my life. Father I lay down everything that causes me to strive, to lean on my own understanding and today, I yield to Your power and Your goodness for You reign above the flood, above the storm, above all that I see.

I trust You and I trust Your name.

In that name, I pray,

Amen

______________________________

Love you guys,

Summer